Medtronic, Zimmer Biomet challenge Intuitive Surgical’s robotic surgery dominance

Editor's Note

Robotic-assisted surgical procedures are no longer futuristic—they are becoming a mainstay in modern ORs. While Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci system has led the market since 2001, competitors Medtronic and Zimmer Biomet are building innovative portfolios to challenge its dominance, MarketBeat December 12 reports.

Medtronic’s Hugo Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS) system aims to rival da Vinci with portability, 3D HD vision, and video recording capabilities, though it awaits approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, its Mazor X robotic guidance system reportedly excels in complex spinal procedures, offering surgeons precision in surgeries like spinal fusion and scoliosis corrections. Medtronic also utilizes its Touch Surgery Ecosystem, an AI-driven platform that provides performance insights and surgical training, the article noted.

Zimmer is advancing its robotic presence with the ROSA Robotic Systems, approved by the FDA for minimally invasive orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures. A recent FDA 510(k) approval was reported in early 2024 for the ROSA Shoulder System, which it claims is the first surgical robot for shoulder replacement surgery. That was the fourth application for Zimmer’s system, also including the ROSA Knee System for total knee arthroplasty and the ROSA Hip System for total hip replacement. The ROSA systems improve precision and reduce recovery times, providing real-time data during procedures, according to the article. Zimmer also recently acquired OrthoGrid Systems, focusing on AI-driven surgical guidance for hip replacements.

These developments signal a growing field of competition as robotic-assisted surgeries continue to evolve in the industry’s search for safer, more efficient, and less invasive procedures.