Robotic Surgery Device Trials Begin in China

Trials of a new robotic system for endoscopic surgery, which enables doctors to view and operate on internal organs, have begun in mainland China.

The Agilis Robotics system is reportedly the world’s smallest “flexible and dexterous” endoscopic robot system.

The robotic instruments are ultra-thin, measuring as little as 0.09 inches in diameter, enabling clinicians access to hollow areas of the body, such as the urinary or gastrointestinal tracts. A surgeon controls the robot’s movements using a pen-like controller which is combined with AI-enabled image guidance to improve ease of use.

Agilis Robotics

“To further ease the learning curve and reduce the barrier for entry, the robotic system is highly compact and directly compatible with conventional flexible and rigid endoscopes currently used in clinical practice,” the team said in a statement.

The system has successfully completed trials in live animal models, with pre-clinical trials now beginning in hospitals and the first human use case expected in 2024.

"With the increasing widespread uptake of endoscopy procedures, in particular colorectal screening, there is a rapidly increasing unmet need to address and minimally invasively remove lesions identified,” said Agilis Robotics co-founder Jason Y K Chan. “In the bladder, there is a significant unmet need to perform en bloc resections to reduce the recurrence of bladder cancer. Agilis matches these needs and enhances the surgeon's ease and comfort in performing these procedures, aiming to improve patient care, reduce hospital length of stay and need for more invasive procedures.”