The development of soft tissue robotic surgery from emerging to established technology was marked by rapid adoption worldwide. At the moment, it is impossible to debate whether robotic-assisted surgery has become routine. In turn, industry stakeholders start considering how to make robotic platforms more intelligent and versatile in the coming years.
At the LSI USA Medtech Summit, representatives of the healthcare field, including executives, medtech innovators, investors, and clinicians, considered another question regarding the development of future robotic platforms: to become proprietary or to be open?
Intelligent Surgical Ecosystem
Modern robotic platforms are not merely mechanical devices for the assistance of surgeons. They integrate artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, navigation technologies, data analysis, and connectivity to help make decisions before, during, and after the procedure.
With independent evolution of different technologies, many industry experts believe that future robotic platforms need to be designed with a view to incorporate upgrades of various vendors. In other words, hospitals will have an opportunity to benefit from the best innovations regardless of the producer of their robotic platform.
The Importance of Interoperability
Interoperability was one of the key topics considered at the LSI USA Medtech Summit. Innovations in medicine continue to emerge, with regular advances in machine learning, visualization, surgical planning, remote collaboration, and precise guidance.
Creating all innovations on a single proprietary platform will be costly and time-consuming. This will become easier with interoperable systems that integrate new software, images, and devices into robotic platforms.
It will be helpful for healthcare facilities by reducing technological barriers and giving start-ups and innovators the opportunity to introduce their solutions rather than developing entire robotized systems.
Fostering Innovation in the Medtech Sector
The open approach may have the capacity to transform the field of medical technology. Small firms can focus on addressing issues such as improving imaging, developing AI-based algorithms, programming navigation, and designing surgical instruments that coordinate with existing robotic systems.
This method of cooperation helps attract investment, accelerate development, and foster a more robust innovation process that involves multiple firms in developing surgical solutions.
Interoperability makes innovation no longer the concern of a few companies but becomes a task of the entire medtech industry.
Ambulatory Surgery Centers Define Requirements for Robots
Finally, another trend that affects the development of robots is the growth of the ambulatory surgery center market. In contrast to hospital operating rooms, ASCs have fewer resources, are smaller in size, and need cost-effective solutions.
Thus, robot manufacturers are working on developing smaller robotic systems that fit into limited spaces.
Fostering a Faster Innovation Cycle
Collaboration among industry members was highlighted at the LSI USA Medtech Summit as a way to accelerate innovation.
Innovation is much quicker when software firms, medtech companies, imaging vendors, and digital health firms develop technology that works on different platforms. There will be continuous innovation rather than relying on major updates by a single platform provider.
A collaborative innovation cycle would enable more investment, research collaborations, and clinical validations, ensuring that advanced technologies used in surgeries become available to patients sooner.
A Hybrid Approach for Surgical Robotic Ecosystems
Whereas open platforms give the possibility to have flexibility and proprietary platforms give the possibility to have security, there are few experts who would claim that there is no place for open and closed platforms.
With a hybrid robotic ecosystem, it becomes possible to make sure that there is seamless integration of core technologies and standardization of interfaces which would enable third-party solutions to connect to each other. With such approach, it becomes possible to innovate without affecting the performance of the system.
Putting Patients at the Center of Innovation
No matter how robotic platforms change, patient outcomes will always serve as an indicator of success. Healthcare providers will focus on developing technologies which will help to enhance surgical precision, clinical workflow, recovery time, and availability of minimally invasive procedures.
Entering a new era of development, robotic surgery needs cooperation of many players such as manufacturers, software developers, clinicians, and organizations of healthcare providers.
Discussions at the LSI USA Medtech Summit show that the industry has found its way clearly – further development of soft tissue robotics will involve not just breakthrough technologies but also effective cooperation which will result in creation of smart surgical ecosystems.
Stay current on soft tissue robotics innovation. Connect with medtech investors, surgeons, and technology leaders advancing surgical ecosystems at the LSI USA Summit. Learn more at https://www.lsiusasummit.com/.