Vicarious Surgical

Market position

Positions itself in robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery, differentiating on single-port abdominal access, internal articulation and 3D visualization rather than multi-port external robotic arms.

Single-port entry through an incision as small as 1.2-1.5 cm, articulation occurring entirely inside the patient's body, human-inspired arm motion with 28 sensors per arm, 360-degree 3D stereoscopic visualization, and a system designed for mobility, rapid setup and storage in hospital environments.

Technology

The robot is designed to replicate a surgeon's natural upper-body movements from shoulders to elbows to wrists, using 28 sensors per arm. The arms are designed to move in all directions — downward, sideways, upward and backward — with centered pivoting inside the abdomen intended to let the surgeon work from any direction through any entry point. Visualization uses immersive 3D stereoscopic imaging of patient anatomy with responsiveness to the surgeon's movements, delivered via a surgeon console with proprietary software and hand controllers. Placing all robotic motion inside the patient through a single incision is intended to increase freedom of movement and reduce the risk of external instrument collisions around the surgical field.

Go-to-market

Medical facilities and surgical care teams performing robotic-assisted minimally invasive abdominal surgery, with the system positioned around surgeon control and patient recovery outcomes.

Risks & controversies

The system has not been cleared by the FDA and is not for commercial sale in the United States; the company notes that claims on its website represent design goals that have not been evaluated by the FDA aside from evaluations for the purpose of granting a Breakthrough Device Designation. Planned disposables requiring a 1.5 cm incision are still in development.