Dr. In a pioneering surgical procedure, Dr. Jeffrey Cadeddu of UT Southwestern Medical Centre employed the innovative Levita Magnetics MARS system in tandem with the Intuitive da Vinci SP to perform a prostatectomy. | Supply: Levita Magnetics
Levita Magnetics Inc. This week, a pioneering surgeon has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully conducting the world’s first procedure combining the use of two distinct surgical robots.
Surgical robotics platforms have been shown to improve patient outcomes when used in conjunction with one another, demonstrating the potential benefits of integrating products from various manufacturers. Dr. Surgeon Jeffrey Cadeddu successfully employed the Levita Magnetics MARS system in conjunction with the da Vinci SP single-port platform to perform a robotic-assisted prostatectomy on a patient.
The company reported that the procedure, a prostate-removal surgery employing Levita’s Magnetic Anchoring Release System (MARS) platform, leveraged its proprietary magnetic positioning technology to navigate within organs with precision, thereby facilitating exact tissue retraction for improved visualization and nerve protection crucial for sexual function and urinary control. The neurovascular bundles responsible for erectile function and urinary control are located adjacent to the prostate gland.
“The Da Vinci SP robotic system provided the single-port capability necessary for this complex urological surgery, thereby defining its utility.” As the combined application of these two techniques demonstrated, the future of robotic-assisted surgery is poised to flourish through the harmonious fusion of diverse methodologies.
Cadeddu emphasized that the process showcased the versatility of Levita’s MARS platform, highlighting its magnetic component as a game-changer. The enhanced precision enabled by this feature was particularly valuable in facilitating access to critical regions within the pelvis.
MARS strikes ahead with magnets
Levita Magnetics reportedly developed a system that leverages magnetic forces to control and position a medical instrument within a patient’s body.
The corporation’s first-generation Magnetic Surgical System (MSS) gained de novo approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2015. Single-Port Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Guidance for Industry – Center for Devices and Radiologic Health – U.S. Food and Drug Administration A miniature magnetic controller attached to the patient’s skin enables seamless communication with a retractable grasping device situated within their abdomen, facilitating the precise capture and manipulation of the gallbladder. The incision website remains accessible for entry and visualisation, according to Levita.
In 2023, the system features two advanced, surgeon-controlled robotic arms that facilitate seamless collaboration. Arms capable of autonomous operation can now efficiently maintain and control magnetic systems previously managed by a human assistant.
The second arm holds and controls an endoscope equipped with a digital camera, providing real-time visualisation within the patient’s body. With this, the surgeon’s hands remain unencumbered to perform operations utilizing laparoscopic instruments.
With the MARS system, surgeons enjoy unprecedented control over the robotic arms, utilizing intuitive hand and foot controls or precise manual guidance.
According to Levita Magnetics, their expertise enables higher visualization, reduces the need for on-site personnel during each process, and minimizes the number of incisions required. This approach yields significantly reduced pain, minimal scarring, and expedited recoveries.
The corporation asserts itself as the sole developer of a magnetic expertise system cleared by the FDA to minimize incision numbers in minimally invasive surgery, thereby fostering reduced invasiveness.
Levita Magnetics poised to revolutionize surgery with expanded access to robot-assisted procedures.
“This proof showed that the MARS platform offers both an unbiased surgical solution and a robust enhancement to traditional console-based robotic techniques,” declared Dr. Alberto Rodríguez-Navarro, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Levita Magnetics. “Through the harmonious fusion of applied sciences, we’re forging a revolutionary standard in surgery that relentlessly focuses on patient safety and superior results.”
As the dual-system method gains traction among surgeons, Levita’s prominence is poised to surge. As the global leader in surgical robotics development, Intuitive Surgical boasts a significant market lead, boasting more innovative solutions than any competitor.
In October 2024, Levita Magnetics announced that The innovative approach has the potential to pioneer a new era of remote mentorship, bridging geographical gaps and enhancing access to minimally invasive, robot-assisted surgical procedures for patients in underserved areas, including rural hospitals and outpatient surgery centers.
The sibling website’s article:
