Healthcare Robot Shipments to Surpass 10,000 Units Annually by 2021, According to Tractica

Posted On November 21, 2016 By OrthoSpineNews In Robotics /

November 21, 2016

BOULDER, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As the world’s population ages, and with an increasing shortage of physicians and other healthcare professionals, robots will be a growing presence in the healthcare system. At the same time, healthcare providers are attracted to robots due to their ability to reduce the cost of care, offload menial tasks from human personnel, improve the accuracy of repetitive tasks, and enable enhanced forms of therapy and rehabilitation, among other types of use cases. According to a new report from Tractica, healthcare robots deployed in the years ahead will include surgical robots, hospital logistics robots, disinfectant robots, nursing robots, exoskeleton robots used for rehabilitation, robotic prosthetic limbs, and many other potential robot types.

Tractica forecasts that healthcare robot shipments will increase from approximately 3,400 units annually in 2016 to more than 10,500 units per year by 2021. During that period, the market intelligence firm anticipates that revenue for healthcare robots will grow from $1.7 billion in 2016 to $2.8 billion by 2021.

“More than 200 companies are already active in various aspects of the healthcare robotics market,” says principal analyst Wendell Chun. “These industry players are creating highly specialized devices for a wide range of applications, and the use cases will continue to expand as costs decline and healthcare providers recognize the early successes of robots in supporting high-quality care and a range of ancillary services.”

Tractica’s report, “Healthcare Robotics”, analyzes and forecasts the global market for healthcare robots, including surgical, rehabilitation, and hospital robots. Market sizing and forecasts include unit shipment and revenue, segmented by world region, application market, and enabling technologies. The report includes more than 80 profiles of key players in the healthcare robotics sector. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.

About Tractica

Tractica is a market intelligence firm that focuses on human interaction with technology. Tractica’s global market research and consulting services combine qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to provide a comprehensive view of the emerging market opportunities surrounding Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, User Interface Technologies, Wearable Devices, and Digital Health. For more information, visit www.tractica.com or call +1.303.248.3000.

Contacts

Tractica
Clint Wheelock, +1-303-248-3000
press@tractica.com

Smithsonian Collects Groundbreaking Surgical Device

Posted On November 15, 2016 By OrthoSpineNews In Robotics /

IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center and researchers at the University of California, Davis began the collaborative development of an innovative system for total hip arthroplasty in 1986 to create a more precise device for joint-replacement procedures. ROBODOC became the first surgical robot to perform procedures in the United States in 1992. Performing total hip arthroplasty by hand is not always precise, and there is a possibility that the bone may splinter. The ROBODOC helps prevent these complications through its 3-D image-directed preoperative planning, allowing the computer-guided robot to accurately execute the surgeon’s plan.

The prototype will become part of the museum’s permanent Science and Medicine collections. There are currently no plans for a display.

“We are grateful to be able to include ROBODOC and related materials to the museum’s permanent collections,” said John Gray, the museum’s director. “This donation supports our curators’ goal to explore innovative medical robotics in the advancing field of precision technology and engineering and to document the early history of medial robotics.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the ROBODOC in 1998. Since then, it has been used in more than 28,000 procedures worldwide.

Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the National Museum of American History explores the infinite richness and complexity of American history. It helps people understand the past in order to make sense of the present and shape a more humane future. The museum is continuing to renovate its west exhibition wing, developing galleries on democracy and culture. The museum is located at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W., and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free. For more information, visit http://americanhistory.si.edu. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.

SOURCE Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History

TransEnterix bets on haptics for Senhance robot-assisted surgery device

Posted On November 14, 2016 By OrthoSpineNews In Robotics /

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 BY BRAD PERRIELLO

TransEnterix (NYSE:TRXC) is betting that the haptics technology in its Senhance robot-assisted surgery platform will help it make headway against Intuitive Surgical (NSDQ:ISRG) and its 10-year lead on the market.

CEO Todd Pope told MassDevice.com that the Senhance’s haptics – the system’s ability to convey a sense of touch and resistance to the surgeon – are an important selling point with physicians.

“The 1 thing that they tell us, as far as a feature that they miss the most on robotics, is the sense of feel or touch. When surgeons do open surgery, they rely on their hands and touch a great deal. Even with laparoscopic surgery, they have that tactile feedback. They have none of that with the current robotics systems today,” Pope told us. “Surgeons have told us when they’re dissecting tissue planes, when they’re working around important vessels or organs, often the sense of touch is just as important for them to discern what they want to do next in the surgery as anything else.”

The TransEnterix haptics tech works on the concept of force feedback, he explained. Senhance’s interaction with tissue is fed back as haptic force to the surgeon’s hands. In demos of the system, surgeons are able to knot a suture while blindfolded, Pope said.

“We had so many surgeons that are using the Senhance say that it was enhancing their senses, it was taking their sense of feel, their sense of touch, and, certainly, their sense of sight and really enhancing it,” he said.

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OMNIlife science™, Inc. Achieves 10,000 Procedures Milestone for OMNIBotics™ Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Replacements

Posted On November 11, 2016 By OrthoSpineNews In Robotics /

RAYNHAM, Mass., Nov. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — OMNIlife science, Inc. (“OMNI™”), an established medical technology company targeting the $15 billion global hip and knee replacement device market, announces that surgeons have completed more than 10,000 total knee replacements worldwide using the OMNIBotics robotic-assisted total knee replacement technology platform. The OMNIBotics system enables optimized implant placement using robotics driven by OMNI’s proprietary ART™ software. Surgeons can efficiently plan a procedure that is specific to each patient using patented intra-operative 3-D modeling technique that eliminates the need for preoperative CT scans or x-rays and then execute the procedure using the system’s patented robotic cutting guide technology.

The OMNIBotics system is modular and portable with a compact physical footprint, unlike most competitive systems, enabling it to be seamlessly incorporated into a crowded OR. The OMNI ART software is designed for flexibility and customization to any surgeon’s particular approach to total knee replacement, facilitating a reduced learning curve. The software allows for intraoperative adjustments to be made easily, which can contribute to increased operative efficiency and time- savings, as well as the precise alignment of the implant that many surgeons believe can lead to more rapid recovery and a more natural feeling total knee replacement.

“As an early adopter of the OMNIBotics™ system, I am not at all surprised by the fact that a growing number of orthopaedic surgeons are embracing this technology,” said Tod Northrup, D.O., orthopaedic surgeon at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, FL. “The results achieved with OMNIBotics in my practice have been consistently excellent for both my patients as well as for the healthcare system. It enables me to perform a truly patient-specific procedure with unparalleled accuracy, providing faster post-operative recovery time and a high level of patient satisfaction in a cost- effective manner.”

OMNI expects the demand for robotic precision in the total knee replacement market to increase dramatically and so is dedicated to designing novel complementary technologies and high- performance implants, making it more cost-effective for healthcare providers to offer to their patients. OMNI’s unique pay-per-procedure model is anticipated to drive easier adoption of the proven robotic-assisted total knee replacement, eliminating the need for a significant capital investment by the hospital.

“When OMNI’s proven APEX Knee™ implant is precisely implanted and aligned by the surgeon with the aid of OMNIBotics technology, the result is a total knee replacement that benefits both the patient and our healthcare system,” said Rick Randall, CEO. “Recent market research estimates that in the next five years, more than 20% of total knee replacement procedures will be performed using robotic assistance. The more than 10,000 successful OMNIBotics total knee procedures thus far are an excellent validation that OMNI continues to lead the way in Robotic- Assisted Total Knee Replacement surgery.”

About OMNI
OMNI is a privately held company with a proprietary robotic platform, OMNIBotics™, which allows surgeons to conduct patient-specific total knee surgery designed to enhance patient satisfaction and reduce hospital costs. In addition, OMNI designs, engineers, manufactures and distributes a wide range of proprietary hip and knee implants and is focused on providing cutting edge technologies to transform outcomes in joint replacement surgery and improve patient care. For more information about OMNI, please visit www.omnils.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release concerning the future business, operations and prospects of OMNIlife science, Inc., including its plans specific to OMNIBotics systems, as well as statements using the terms “plans,” “believes” or similar expressions are “forward-looking” statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties. Information contained in these forward-looking statements is inherently uncertain, and actual performance and results may differ materially due to many important factors. Such factors include, among others, changes in competitive conditions and pricing in OMNI’s markets, decrease in the demand for OMNI’s products, delays in OMNI’s product research and development cycles, decreases in the use of OMNI’s principal product lines or in procedure volume, unanticipated issues in complying with domestic or foreign regulatory requirements related to OMNI’s current products or securing regulatory clearance or approvals for new products or upgrades or changes to OMNI’s current products, the impact of the United States healthcare reform legislation on hospital spending and reimbursement, any unanticipated impact arising out of the securities class action or any other litigation, inquiry, or investigation brought against OMNI, increases in costs of OMNI’s sales force and distributors, and unanticipated intellectual property expenditures required to develop, market, and defend OMNI’s products. OMNI cannot guarantee any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievement. OMNI undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

Contact
Cindy Holloway, Director of Marketing Communications
Phone: (508) 824-2444
cholloway@omnils.com

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161018/429923LOGO

SOURCE OMNIlife science, Inc.

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NASS 2016: Interest grows in surgical robotics for spinal procedures

Posted On October 31, 2016 By OrthoSpineNews In Robotics /

OCTOBER 31, 2016 BY SARAH FAULKNER

Mazor Robotics (NSDQ:MZOR) unveiled its next-generation robot-assisted surgery system and Globus Medical (NYSE:GMED) for the 1st time showcased the functional prototype of its Excelsius platform at the NASS 2016 meeting in Boston last week, signifying an increased interest in robotic surgeons among major players.

Mazor developed 3 generations of products over 15 years and does 95% of its business in spine surgery, according to Barclays. The Caesarea, Israel-based company’s next-gen Mazor X system, presented at this year’s North American Spine Society meeting, helps surgeons develop a pre-operative plan, make automated calculations, and provide intraoperative guidance to ensure that the plan is followed for each patient. It can also measure the length of time for each case, demographics and other important variables to improve case management.

“The Mazor X system is aimed at addressing unmet needs for a number of stakeholders including hospital management, vendors, patients, payors, and surgeons,” Barclays analysts wrote.

The list price of the robot surgeon is $900,000 and Mazor is also listing a brain model at $199k. Mazor’s agreement with Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) calls for it to receive $1,500 for the disposable and a midpoint $1,000 synergy fee if Medtronic implants are used. Mazor is selling the system and gets the full price, but a 20% commission goes to Medtronic during phase 1 of the agreement. In phase 2, there’s a distributor agreement, so the sale to Medtronic is at 40% to 45% less than list price.

Globus unveiled its investigational robotics system, Excelsius, telling Leerink Partners that it anticipates approval and launch in early- to mid-2017, with revenue unlikely until the 2nd half of next year.

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Medtronic, Intuitive Surgical Lead U.S. Surgical Navigation and Robotics Systems Market Driven by Replacement Sales

Posted On October 31, 2016 By OrthoSpineNews In Robotics /

VANCOUVER, BC–(Marketwired – October 25, 2016) – According to a new series of reports on the U.S. market for surgical navigation and robotics systems by iData Research (www.idataresearch.com), the market is driven by replacement sales to new facilities. The continuous improvement in navigation software as well as hardware will entice facilities to continually upgrade their systems to the most current versions. Also, the entrance of new companies who are looking to provide navigation systems at a more budget-friendly price will expand the market to smaller facilities who, in the past, could not afford the top-of-the-line systems.

The overall market for image guided surgery (IGS) systems reflects the overlap between different market segments. For example, revenues stemming from neurosurgery and spinal navigation systems are often associated with a single system that has both applications. In addition, both the ENT and orthopedic navigation markets include systems with applications in spinal and neurosurgical navigation, respectively.

“Newer systems entering the market both on the higher and lower ends of the price spectrum will stabilize the average selling price as institutions upgrade these systems,” explains Dr. Kamran Zamanian, CEO of iData. “For example, ENT departments often have lower budgets for navigation systems than their neurosurgical or spinal counterparts.”

The largest segment in the U.S. surgical navigation market is represented by navigation systems with spinal applications, accounting for nearly 40% of the total market. Many of the systems sold are able to perform multiple applications; in particular, most neurosurgical and spinal navigation are performed by the same systems. The neurosurgery navigation system market is the most mature. The use of IGS for neurosurgical procedures has become the standard of care. Also, IGS systems with neurosurgical capabilities command the highest ASP. The growth of the neurosurgery navigation system market is supplemented by upgrades from facilities that already have such systems as well as sales to new facilities, although the latter makes up a smaller portion of the total revenue.

Medtronic leads the surgical navigation systems market in the United States. The company has established itself through brand recognition and by making systems compatible with their implant products. Medtronic is expected to remain a strong competitor in the market. Intuitive Surgical leads the surgical robotics market in the United States. It remains the dominant competitor in the U.S. and promotes robotics applications in surgery. However, other companies are expanding robotic options in orthopedic and other procedural areas. Other leading competitors in surgical navigation include Brainlab and Stryker, which also hold significant market shares in the United States, in addition to a number of other companies with smaller installed bases. In the surgical robotics systems market companies such as Medtech, Mazor Robotics, and Stryker’s Mako system are strong contenders.

For Further Information

More on the surgical navigation and robotics systems market in the U.S. can be found in a series of reports published by iData Research entitled the U.S. Market Report Suite for Surgical Navigation and Robotic Systems. The suite covers reports on the following markets: surgical navigation systems for neurosurgery, spinal surgery, ENT (ear/nose/throat), and orthopedic hip and knee applications. The segmentation for surgical robotics systems includes spinal, neurosurgery, minimally invasive surgery (MIS), radiosurgery, catheter and orthopedic robotically assisted systems.

The iData report series on robotics and surgical navigation covers the U.S., Japan, China, India, Australia, and 15 countries in Europe including Germany, France, the United Kingdom (U.K.), Italy, Spain, Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg), Scandinavia (Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway), Portugal, Austria and Switzerland. Reports provide a comprehensive analysis including units sold, procedure numbers, market value, forecasts, as well as detailed competitive market shares and analysis of major players’ success strategies in each market and segment. To find out more about robotics and surgical navigation market data or procedure data, register online or email us at info@idataresearch.net for a U.S. Market Report Suite for Surgical Navigation and Robotic Systems brochure and synopsis.

About iData Research

iData Research (www.idataresearch.com) is an international market research and consulting group focused on providing market intelligence for medical device and pharmaceutical companies. iData covers research in: Operating Room Equipment, Surgical Microscopes, Robotics and Surgical Navigation, Laparoscopy, Urology, Gynecology, Vascular Access, Endoscopy, Interventional Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac Rhythm Management, Electrophysiology, Ultrasound, X-Ray Imaging, Diagnostic Imaging, Oncology, Spinal Implants and VCF, Spinal MIS, Orthopedic Soft Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Orthopedic Trauma, Large & Small Joints, Anesthesiology, Wound Management, Orthopedics, Ophthalmics, Dental Operatory Equipment and more.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Marvin Cidamon
Marketing Coordinator
iData Research Inc.
604-266-6933 Ext. 205
marvinc@idataresearch.net

Mazor Robotics Commercially Launches Mazor X at the North American Spine Society (NASS) Annual Meeting

Posted On October 27, 2016 By OrthoSpineNews In Robotics /

October 26, 2016

CAESAREA, Israel–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mazor Robotics Ltd. (TASE:MZOR; NASDAQGM:MZOR), a pioneer and a leader in the field of surgical guidance systems, launched Mazor X, a transformative platform for spine surgeries at the North American Spine Society (NASS) annual meeting being held in Boston, Massachusetts from October 26 – 29. The Mazor X system represents a new surgical assurance platform for predictable surgery and patient benefit and it will be displayed at the Mazor and Medtronic booths, #931 and #1015, respectively.

“The Mazor X system is the culmination of a multi-year development effort by our team of robotic, algorithm and imaging experts, incorporating market feedback gathered from thousands of clinical cases performed with the Mazor core technology. It exemplifies our vision of healing through innovation and our ongoing dedication to patients by expanding guidance capabilities in the spine operating room,” commented Ori Hadomi, Chief Executive Officer. “Mazor X is a transformative guidance system with advanced features and sophisticated integrative abilities. We believe it can change the way spine surgeries are performed.”

The commercial release of the Mazor X is a significant milestone for Mazor as well as for the Company’s strategic partnership with Medtronic that was announced in May 2016. Since signing the agreement in May, Mazor and Medtronic have invested in co-marketing, promotion, and training efforts towards commercialization of the Mazor X. The two companies, between them, now have hundreds of highly experienced capital and clinical specialists who are trained on Mazor X, who will be responsible for raising the awareness of, selling and supporting the Mazor X system. In response to the pre-launch activity by Mazor and Medtronic, dozens of surgeons have attended Mazor’s labs and been introduced to the Mazor X.

In July 2016, Mazor first unveiled the Mazor X. “The pre-launch interest has been exceptional and we are excited to publicly introduce the Mazor X at the prestigious NASS annual meeting. We expect that today’s announced commercial availability will further increase the momentum we are experiencing and drive the future sales of Mazor’s portfolio of products – the advanced Mazor X platform and the clinical workhorse Renaissance system,” commented Mr. Hadomi.

Due to this rising interest, the Company established an exchange (post-sale) program for existing U.S. Renaissance users to expand to the Mazor X system. Since the July unveiling, the Company has received three pre-launch orders prior to today’s commercial launch, with scheduled deliveries by the end of the 2017 first quarter. Additionally, the Company also received a purchase order from Medtronic for 15 Mazor X systems.

About Mazor Robotics

Mazor Robotics (TASE: MZOR; NASDAQGM: MZOR) believes in healing through innovation by developing and introducing revolutionary technologies and products aimed at redefining the gold standard of quality care. Mazor Robotics Guidance Systems enable surgeons to conduct spine and brain procedures in an accurate and secure manner. For more information, please visit www.MazorRobotics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other securities laws. Any statements in this release about future expectations, plans or prospects for the Company, including without limitation, statements regarding future sales of Mazor’s products, the interest in and benefits of Mazor X, scheduled deliveries of Mazor X, and other statements containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “will” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions based on Mazor’s current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause Mazor’s actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Those factors include, but are not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, competitive products, product demand and market acceptance risks, reliance on key strategic alliances, fluctuations in operating results, and other factors indicated in Mazor’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Mazor’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on May 2, 2016 and in subsequent filings with the SEC. For more details, refer to Mazor’s SEC filings. Mazor undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or to changes in our expectations, except as may be required by law.

Contacts

EVC Group
Michael Polyviou, 732-232-6914
mpolyviou@evcgroup.com
or
Investors
Doug Sherk, 415-652-9100
dsherk@evcgroup.com

Synaptive Medical to Showcase BrightMatter™ Technology at North American Spine Society in Boston

Posted On October 26, 2016 By OrthoSpineNews In Robotics /

October 26, 2016

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Synaptive Medical is showcasing their BrightMatter™ technology at the upcoming North American Spine Society (NASS) annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, which starts today and runs through Oct. 29.

This is the first time Synaptive has attended NASS and will demonstrate their robotics and visualization technology at Booth # 1366. BrightMatter supports a multidisciplinary approach to patient care through informatics, advanced imaging, and robotics that bring state-of-the-art visualization to the operating room.

Dr. Tom Doers, an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at Aurora St. Luke’s Healthcare in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will present his clinical experiences with Synaptive’s robotic technology at a special NASS session on advancements in innovation for spine surgery. His session will explore how using the robotic arm for visualization has impacted his patients and increased communication with his staff. He will also speak to the impact of Synaptive’s technology on him physically, especially on days where he may perform as many as six spine procedures.

As health care shifts to delivery models that are increasingly focused on increased efficiency and higher quality of care, Synaptive’s BrightMatter technology is addressing this new paradigm with solutions for transformative insights from diagnosis through post-operative care, and beyond.

One of the challenges in spine surgery is direct visualization of neural structures and soft tissues. Surgeons will often use surgical microscopes or loupes with illumination mounted to their head, a solution to visualization that was developed in the 1800s. As a result, the operating team often cannot see what the surgeon can see and surgeons often perform surgery in positions that can cause fatigue, pain and unfavourable health outcomes.

BrightMatter addresses the complexities of the operating room setup and transforms the surgical workflow. With a camera mounted on a robotic arm to automatically follows the surgeon’s instruments, a wider customizable field of view is projected onto a large monitor and viewable by the entire operating team. Surgeons spend less time manipulating cumbersome optics and are able to work in a comfortable upright position while actively communicating with their staff during the procedure to ensure the best patient outcome.

“Collaborations with surgeons like Tom Doers are rooted in Synaptive’s culture of pursing integrated connections across the process of care,” said Cameron Piron, president and co-founder of Synaptive Medical. “Understanding the unique challenges facing spine surgeons fuels our product development and helps us to design integrated solutions. We’re excited to be attending NASS for the first time and looking forward to developing this key market.”

About Synaptive Medical | Synaptive Medical Inc., a Toronto-based medical device company, has a talented team of scientists, engineers and locally-based customer care specialists specifically committed to developing and supporting surgical technologies and therapies. Their BrightMatter™ Solutions provide advanced tools and information that allow surgeons to focus on patient outcomes. From advanced visualization and guidance to their first hands-free surgical scope, Synaptive Medical collaborates with surgeons, hospitals and industry partners to evolve the standard of care for surgical intervention.

Contacts

Synaptive Medical
Sherrie Van Oss, 404-290-9664
sherrie.vanoss@synaptivemedical.com

Verb Surgical Inc. Honored by Goldman Sachs for Entrepreneurship – Scott Huennekens, President and CEO, Among 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs at 2016 Builders + Innovators Summit

Posted On October 21, 2016 By OrthoSpineNews In Robotics /

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) is recognizing Verb Surgical’s President & CEOScott Huennekens as one of the 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of 2016 at its Builders + Innovators Summit in Santa Barbara, California.

Goldman Sachs selected Scott Huennekens as one of 100 entrepreneurs from multiple industries to be honored at the two-day event. Scott is a successful entrepreneur in the medical device and biotech industries, having served as CEO, board member and investor in numerous startups with market valuations that have totaled over $5B, and more importantly, with over 20 million patients that have benefited from the therapies and diagnostics of these companies. He is currently Chairman, President & CEO of Verb Surgical, Alphabet Inc. (formerly Google) and Johnson & Johnson’s new start-up to revolutionize the future of surgery. The company, located on the Google campus in Mountain View, CA, was founded in August 2015, with Scott joining as employee #1. Verb’s big vision is to democratize surgery globally, and in turn improve access to the benefits of surgery for the 5 billion people who do not have access today. At the same time, Verb aims to improve outcomes, lower costs and enable more surgical procedures globally. There are over 200 employees currently working on building and commercializing the Verb platform, including team members at Verb, Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences) and Johnson & Johnson. Prior to joining Verb, Scott led Volcano Corp., as its first and only President & CEO, from start-up in 2002 to its IPO in 2006 and sale to Philips in 2015. Volcano 2015 revenue was > $400+ million and its market capitalization peaked at nearly $2 billion.

“This is a tremendous honor not for me, but for Verb and our partners at J&J and Verily,” said Scott. “Verb is a company driven by taking action for patients. We are in a unique position to leverage technology in ways never imagined before, to create the future of surgery. This a future we call digital surgery, which we believe can improve access to the 5 billion patients worldwide that need surgical care.”

“We are honored to recognize Scott Huennekens as one of the most intriguing entrepreneurs of 2016,” said David Solomon, co-head of investment banking at Goldman Sachs. “This is the fifth year that we’ve hosted the Builders + Innovators Summit where emerging business leaders gather to discuss their common interests in building thriving organizations.” (link to videohttp://www.goldmansachs.com/our-thinking/technology-driving-innovation/builders-and-innovators-2016/index.html?videoId=146334)

For more than 145 years, Goldman Sachs has been advising and financing entrepreneurs as they launch and grow their businesses. In addition to honoring 100 entrepreneurs, the summit consists of general sessions and clinics led by Goldman Sachs experts, seasoned entrepreneurs, academics and business leaders as well as resident scholars.

About Verb Surgical
Verb Surgical is working with physicians around the world to create the future of surgery. A future that aims to achieve improved patient outcomes, lower costs, and greater hospital efficiency.

Verb Surgical was founded in 2015 with technology, expertise, and funding from Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences) and Ethicon, a medical device company in the Johnson & Johnson family of companies. This company will continue in strong partnership with Verily and Johnson & Johnson (Google and Johnson & Johnson Team for Robotic Surgery) to advance the surgical tools and capabilities available to surgeons and OR professionals today. We are a company dedicated to making possibilities happen. Along with our clinician partners, we turn technology and information into actions that matter.

Contact: For further information, please contact media@verbsurgical.com
www.verbsurgical.com

SOURCE Verb Surgical Inc.

Ekso Bionics to Exhibit Ekso GT Robotic Exoskeleton at AAPM&R and AMRPA Annual Meetings

Posted On October 19, 2016 By OrthoSpineNews In Robotics /

RICHMOND, Calif., Oct. 18, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc. (EKSO), a robotic exoskeleton company, today announced that the company and its collaborators will exhibit their Ekso GT robotic exoskeleton in New Orleans at both the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) Annual Assembly taking place October 20-23, 2016 and the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association (AMRPA) Annual Educational Conference taking place October 24-26, 2016.

Ekso Bionics will host a symposium in conjunction with AAPM&R on Friday, October 21 from 4:45 – 6:00 pm at the New Orleans Downtown Marriott Convention Center. During this symposium, Dr. Jeffrey Oken, Chief Medical Officer at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and Dr. Christina Kwasnica, Medical Director of Neuro-rehabilitation at Barrow Neurological Institute will discuss their research on the use of Ekso GT. In addition, Leslie VanHiel, DPT and Clinical Training Specialist at Ekso Bionics will review the most recent studies involving the Ekso GT device. A demonstration and Q&A will follow the symposium.

There are four educational sessions at AAPM&R dedicated to robotic therapy:

Session 401. Integrating Advanced Rehabilitation Technology and Robotics into Clinical Practice

7:30 AM–9:00 AM Oct 20, 2016; Convention Center, Meeting Room R08-09, Level 2

Erin Eggebrecht, PT, DPT, NCS

Deborah Gaebler-Spira, MD, McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University (RIC) PM&R Program

Joshua Vova, MD

Session W204. Incorporating Exoskeletal Robots Into Practice

2:00 PM–3:30 PM Oct 20, 2016; Convention Center, Meeting Room 217, Level 2

Lauri Bishop, PT, DPT

Alberto Esquenazi, MD, Chmn Dept of PMR and Chief Med Off at Moss Rehab Hosp

Kristen Hohl, MD

Casey Kandilakis, PT, DPT, NCS

Donald Leslie, MD, Shepherd Ctr

Joel Stein, MD, Chair at Columbia Univ Med Ctr

Session 223. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Robotics

2:30 PM–4:00 PM Oct 22, 2016; Convention Center, Great Hall B, Level 1

Sunil Agrawal, PhD

Ethan Rand, MD, Assistant Professor at New York Prebyterian – Weill Cornell Medicine

Joel Stein, MD,Chair at Columbia Univ Med Ctr

Session 225. Robotics in Rehabilitation: Optimizing Treatment Delivery

4:15 PM–5:45 PM Oct 22, 2016; Convention Center, Great Hall B, Level 1

Alberto Esquenazi, MD, Chmn Dept of PMR and Chief Med Off at Moss Rehab Hosp

Matthew Vnenchak, PT

The following educational session will be offered at AMRPA:

Robotics in Neurorehabilitation: A Way to Improve Care Intensity and Efficiency

4:50 PM-5:50 PM Oct. 24, 2016; Royal Sonesta Hotel, Royal Conti Room

Alberto Esquenazi, MD, Chmn Dept of PMR and Chief Med Off at Moss Rehab Hosp

Ekso Bionics will be exhibiting at booth numbers 201 for AAPM&R and 18 for AMRPA.

About Ekso Bionics^®
Ekso Bionics is a leading developer of exoskeleton solutions that amplify human potential by supporting or enhancing strength, endurance and mobility across medical, industrial and defense applications. Founded in 2005, the company continues to build upon its unparalleled expertise to design some of the most cutting-edge, innovative wearable robots available on the market. Ekso Bionics is the only exoskeleton company to offer technologies that range from helping those with paralysis to stand up and walk, to enhancing human capabilities on job sites across the globe, to providing research for the advancement of R&D projects intended to benefit U.S. defense capabilities. The company is headquartered in the Bay Area and is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol EKSO. For more information, visit: www.eksobionics.com.

About Ekso™ GT
Ekso™ GT is the first FDA cleared exoskeleton cleared for use with stroke and spinal cord injuries from L5 to C7. The Ekso GT with smart Variable Assist™ (marketed as SmartAssist outside the U.S.) software is the only exoskeleton available for rehabilitation institutions that can provide adaptive amounts of power to either side of the patient’s body, challenging the patient as they progress through their continuum of care. The suit’s patented technology provides the ability to mobilize patients earlier, more frequently and with a greater number of high intensity steps. To date, this device has helped patients take more than 55 million steps in over 120 rehabilitation institutions around the world.