Ethicon, Inc.

Anovo robotic surgical platform is the world's first single port robotics platform approved for ventral hernia repairs in the US TEL AVIV, Israel and FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Momentis Surgical Ltd., a medical device company dedicated to transforming robot-assisted surgery with its proprietary technology, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) Clearance to its Anovo™ robotic surgical platform for use in single site, abdominal access ventral hernia repair. The FDA clearance announced today complements the system's existing approvals in natural orifice laparoscopic-assisted transvaginal benign gynecology surgical procedures. Continue Reading Anovo's flexible robotic arms Dvir Cohen, CEO and Co-Founder of Momentis Surgical, said, "Leveraging the clinical achievements of our Anovo platform in gynecology and the connections we established with leading medical centers worldwide, we have seized the opportunity to expand to general surgery for our groundbreaking technology. Due to its size and mobility, our system can be used both in hospitals and outpatient settings, where most hernia surgeries can be performed, but are not currently, because of the limitations of existing robotic platforms. Anovo's unique features allow surgeons and patients access to robotic procedures outside the hospital by offering robotic technology to ambulatory surgical centers." Anovo is the world's first single port robotics platform approved by the FDA to perform ventral hernia procedures. Performing procedures through a single port with multiple flexible instruments has the potential to result in less invasive and less traumatic outcomes for the tissue at the point of entry, enabled by the small portable robotic system. The Anovo system is the first and only FDA-authorized surgical robotic platform that features miniature humanoid-shaped robotic arms that provide human level dexterity, multi-planar flexibility and 360 degrees of articulation. The biomimetic instruments are designed to replicate the motions and capabilities of a surgeon's arms, with shoulder, elbow and wrist joints. Multiple instruments can be introduced to the body through a single portal and the 360-degree articulation offers obstacle avoidance as well as optimal access and working angles. "This FDA authorization represents a significant advancement in the world of robotic surgery by making Anovo a versatile robotics platform for multi-specialty use," said Professor Tim Tollens, MD, Head of Surgery at Imelda Hospital in Bonheiden, Belgium, who performed a series of ventral hernia procedures using the Anovo system. "I have experience with other robotic systems and the Anovo platform is not only potentially better for my patients by reducing the number of incisions, but also incredibly easy for me and my OR staff to use. The average docking time for the robot was under 2 minutes, which is an order of magnitude faster than other robotic systems." Frederic H. Moll, M.D., Momentis board member and founder of Intuitive Surgical and Auris Health, added, "I have spent my career developing groundbreaking surgical robotic technology and I believe the future of soft tissue robotics is flexible instruments. I am very impressed with what the Momentis team has achieved to date. As the company has now created a true robotics platform, this technology is clearly differentiating and will have an immediate impact on the way general surgery is performed as it has in gynecology." "We are thrilled with adding a very high-volume surgical procedure to the approved indications for Anovo," said Maurice R Ferré, MD, Chairman of Momentis Surgical, Chairman and CEO of Insightec and Co-Founder and former CEO of MAKO Surgical. "This is only the beginning of the impact this single port, flexible robotics platform will have on robotic surgery." About Momentis Surgical™ Momentis Surgical is dedicated to transforming the field of robotic surgery by developing innovative small footprint, cost-effective, robotic-assisted technologies and techniques for a growing number of clinical applications. Our goal is to empower surgeons to perform minimally invasive, complex procedures, enabling better patient outcomes, lowering cost of care, and opening access to surgical robotics to more surgeons, patients, hospitals, and surgery centers across the globe. For more information, visit: . Media Contact: Tsipi Haitovsky Global Media Liaison +972-525-989892 [email protected] Photo - SOURCE Momentis Surgical WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

SAN MATEO, Calif,--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Mendaera, Inc., a Silicon Valley-based healthcare technology company developing a handheld robotic interventional platform, announced today the close of $73 million in Series B funding led by Threshold Ventures, with participation from investors including Lux Capital, PFM Health Sciences, and Fred Moll (founder of Intuitive Surgical and Auris Health). The financing will further Mendaera’s efforts to scale robotics and AI across mainstream medical procedures. The healthcare system is facing an increasing supply and demand crisis, where the ability to consistently deliver high-quality care to patients is hampered by healthcare provider shortages and rising costs. This problem is especially pronounced for highly prevalent, commonplace procedures that exist along most patient journeys between initial consultation and recovery – critical procedures such as biopsies, organ and vascular access, and pain management interventions. Here in the “messy middle” of healthcare, where demand is high and skills are deceptively hard to acquire, a scarcity of experienced proceduralists results in care bottlenecks and increased costs. While other industries have addressed similar dynamics by deploying robotics to improve quality and workforce productivity, robots in healthcare thus far have primarily been limited to high-end, singularly focused surgeries. Mendaera is pioneering a new category in medical robotics, making advanced technologies readily available for these foundational everyday procedures. Its handheld interventional platform includes robotics, AI, real-time imaging, and virtual connectivity, and is designed to be accessible across specialties and sites of service to empower providers and systems to better meet the growing demand for needle-based interventions. By better distributing care for this ubiquitous yet often-overlooked category of procedures, Mendaera aims to improve hundreds of millions of patient encounters per year and drive systemwide efficiencies. “Traditional surgical robots have established footing in the operating room,” said Josh DeFonzo, Founder and CEO of Mendaera. “But robotics and AI have evolved to a point where we can deliver broader benefits across all parts of the healthcare system and enable higher standards of care for more patients. We believe that our technology will allow healthcare systems and providers to provision medical procedures at scale – enhancing patient experience, increasing access to high-quality care, reducing overall cost, and improving healthcare provider satisfaction.” “Mendaera has the unique ability to improve the patient experience and make high-quality care widely accessible,” said Emily Melton, Founder and Managing Partner at Threshold Ventures. “Amidst rising healthcare costs and labor shortages impacting quality and affordability, it is imperative to harness advanced technology to revolutionize healthcare delivery. We are thrilled to join forces with the dynamic Mendaera team, comprising the most innovative and accomplished leaders in medical robotics and software.” Mendaera will utilize the new funding to complete development of its robotic technology, accelerate development of its AI and connectivity capabilities, and begin clinical introduction of its platform. Earlier this year, Mendaera announced that it had acquired the telepresence technology of Avail Medsystems to expand its portfolio to include virtual connectivity. In 2023, Mendaera announced a commercial agreement with the point-of-care ultrasound company Butterfly Network. About Mendaera Mendaera’s vision is to digitize clinical judgment and technical expertise, making high-quality care available for every patient at every care facility. Its platform in development combines robotics, AI, real-time imaging, and connectivity, to enable intervention at scale. Based in Silicon Valley, Mendaera is backed by leading investors and includes a leadership team successful in taking early-stage medical technology companies through to successful exits including Auris Health. Mendaera's robotic system has not been cleared by the FDA for sale in the United States. About Threshold Ventures Threshold Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm helping founders in healthcare and enterprise software bring their ideas to market. Our investments include BetterUp, Brightline, Doximity (NYSE: DOCS), LaunchDarkly, Livongo (NASDAQ: LVGO), Remitly (NASDAQ: RELY), Rippling, Talkdesk, and Viz.ai. Based on our work with these and dozens of other startups, we purpose-built Threshold so we can be the most effective partner for entrepreneurs at the early stages of building their companies. Learn more at www.threshold.vc .

Howard Fine, MD Delivers Keynote MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thought Leadership & Innovation Foundation (TLI), a not-for-profit organization that works at the nexus of science, technology and public health, today announces the upcoming "Eyes on the Future" fundraising gala to support the development of the first-of-its kind Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) patient information portal. Hosted by TLI in partnership with the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF), the event will take place on Thursday, October 24, Red Bank, New Jersey, featuring a keynote address by Howard F. Fine, MD, a distinguished retina specialist and vitreoretinal surgeon with NJRetina. “This innovative, patient-centered platform will serve as a centralized hub of information, promoting early testing, diagnosis and effective management of AMD,” says Shawn Murphy, vice president, TLI. “It will also provide access to local resources, care options and strategies to reduce the risk of disease progression through patient-managed lifestyle changes.” Dr. Fine will discuss the profound public health impact of AMD, exploring the condition's prevalence among older adults, its devastating effects on vision and the latest advancements in treatment. He will also provide insights into emerging therapies that offer new hope for individuals with AMD. Matthew Levine, director of grants, advocacy and partnerships, AMDF, says, “With macular degeneration, as with many chronic, progressive diseases, a patient’s engagement in their own management greatly increases positive outcomes. The ‘Eyes on the Future’ portal will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by AMD, and contribute to the advancement of AMD care, by empowering patients, eye care specialists and researchers with a profound resource: a database of patient experiences. That knowledge, coupled with an expanding array of other resources, will make the portal a go-to tool for users.” Dr. Fine explains, “AMD is a condition that silently robs individuals of their vision, profoundly affecting their quality of life. Through continued innovation and the development of new resources like the Eyes on the Future portal, we can offer hope, support and new tools to patients and their families.” Dr. Fine hails from New Jersey. He received his dual undergraduate degrees in chemical engineering and biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in clinical trials from Duke University, and his medical degree with honors from Harvard Medical School. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, a uveitis research fellowship at the National Eye Institute, and his surgical retina fellowship at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. Dr. Fine is a Professor of Ophthalmology at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and fellowship director at NJRetina. He has received several national honors including the Heed Ophthalmic Fellowship Award and the Ronald G. Michels Retina Fellowship Award. Dr. Fine was elected into the Retina Society and has been selected to NJ Monthly Top Doctors, Castle Connolly Top Doctors and Best Doctors in America. He has several awarded patents and was co-founder of a surgical robotics company Auris Health that was acquired by Johnson & Johnson. Dr. Fine was selected for the prestigious Ocular Surgery 150 Award as one of the top 150 most innovative retina specialists worldwide. “Eyes on the Future" has set a goal of $250,000 to support the development and launch of the portal. For more information about how to donate, please click here. About TLIThe Thought Leadership & Innovation Foundation (TLI) is a not-for-profit organization that works at the nexus of science, technology and public health, innovating for superior prevention, treatment and outcomes for those facing life-altering medical diagnoses.TLI helps patients across the country and around the world find better healthcare outcomes. Visit www.thoughtfoundation.org and follow us on LinkedIn. About The American Macular Degeneration FoundationThe American Macular Degeneration Foundation (macular.org) is a patient-centric foundation that supports potentially game-changing AMD research, education and advocacy in order to improve quality of life and treatment outcomes for all of those affected by AMD. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/51946bfb-b0d0-441f-a7aa-5e7d275a5d2ehttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/306fa1e5-576a-4a79-b0b9-fdea8931597e