Articles tagged with "healthcare-technology"
Can we design healthcare that survives deep space? Dorit Donoviel explains
Dr. Dorit Donoviel, Executive Director of NASA's Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), is pioneering the development of healthcare systems designed to function autonomously millions of miles from Earth. With a diverse background spanning pharmaceutical drug discovery, biotech, and ethics, she focuses on creating innovative solutions such as AI-driven diagnostics and bioengineered life-support systems to enable astronauts to manage their own health during deep-space missions. Her work addresses the critical challenge of providing effective medical care in environments where immediate Earth-based support is impossible. Donoviel emphasizes the unique interdisciplinary nature of space health, attracting top-tier talent passionate about solving complex biological and healthcare problems under extreme conditions. She highlights the importance of maintaining scientific rigor and humility, acknowledging that current knowledge and technologies are provisional and subject to change with new discoveries. Her leadership approach balances deep technical expertise with openness to innovation, fostering collaboration among experts to build resilient healthcare frameworks that can adapt to the unpredictable challenges of space exploration.
robotAIhealthcare-technologyspace-healthautonomous-medicinebioengineeringNASAStartup Battlefield company SpotitEarly trained dogs and AI to sniff out common cancers
SpotitEarly, an Israeli startup founded in 2020, is developing an innovative at-home cancer screening test that leverages trained dogs’ exceptional sense of smell combined with AI technology to detect early-stage cancers from human breath samples. The company employs 18 trained beagles that identify cancer-specific odors by sitting when they detect cancer particles. This canine detection is augmented by an AI platform that monitors the dogs’ behavior, breathing patterns, and heart rates to improve accuracy beyond human observation. A double-blind clinical study involving 1,400 participants demonstrated that SpotitEarly’s method can detect four common cancers—breast, colorectal, prostate, and lung—with 94% accuracy. SpotitEarly recently launched into the U.S. market with $20.3 million in funding and plans to expand its clinical trials, initially focusing on breast cancer before addressing the other cancers. The company aims to offer its multi-cancer screening kits through physicians’ networks starting next year, pricing the initial test at approximately $
AIhealthcare-technologycancer-detectionmachine-learningdiagnosticsbiotechnologyearly-screeningAmazon Pharmacy is launching vending machines for prescription drugs
Amazon Pharmacy is introducing prescription vending machines at its One Medical clinics, starting in Los Angeles in December 2025, with plans for broader expansion. These in-office kiosks allow patients to pick up commonly prescribed medications—such as antibiotics, inhalers, and blood pressure drugs—immediately after their appointments. Patients can have prescriptions sent directly to the kiosk, pay via the Amazon app, and typically receive their medications within minutes. The kiosks’ inventories are tailored to the prescribing habits of each clinic location, though controlled substances and refrigerated medications are excluded. The Amazon app also provides transparency on medication costs, including discounts and insurance copays, and offers access to licensed pharmacists through video or phone consultations. Amazon aims to address the issue of unfilled prescriptions caused by patients needing to make separate pharmacy trips. This initiative comes amid significant challenges faced by traditional U.S. pharmacy chains, with Rite Aid closing all stores recently, and CVS and Walgreens shuttering hundreds over the past few years. Amazon’s vending machines represent
IoThealthcare-technologyvending-machinesAmazon-Pharmacydigital-healthtelemedicinesmart-kiosksInterview with Zahra Ghorrati: developing frameworks for human activity recognition using wearable sensors - Robohub
In this interview, Zahra Ghorrati, a PhD candidate at Purdue University, discusses her research on developing scalable and adaptive deep learning frameworks for human activity recognition (HAR) using wearable sensors. Her work addresses the challenges posed by noisy, inconsistent, and uncertain data from wearable devices, aiming to create models that are computationally efficient, interpretable, and robust enough for real-world applications outside controlled lab environments. Unlike video-based recognition systems, wearable sensors offer privacy advantages and continuous monitoring capabilities, making them highly suitable for healthcare and long-term activity tracking. Ghorrati’s research has focused on a hierarchical fuzzy deep neural network that adapts to diverse HAR datasets by detecting simpler activities at lower levels and more complex ones at higher levels. By integrating fuzzy logic into deep learning, her model effectively handles uncertainty in sensor data, improving both robustness and interpretability. This approach also maintains low computational costs, enabling real-time recognition on wearable devices. Evaluations on multiple benchmark datasets show that her framework achieves competitive accuracy
robotwearable-sensorshuman-activity-recognitiondeep-learningIoThealthcare-technologysensor-data-analysisEndoQuest Robotics completes first robotic ESD procedure at Mayo Clinic - The Robot Report
EndoQuest Robotics announced that a surgeon at the Mayo Clinic successfully completed the first robotic endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) procedure using its Endoluminal Surgical (ELS) System as part of the multicenter PARADIGM Trial. This trial is designed to evaluate the system for lower gastrointestinal tract procedures. Dr. Norio Fukami, a leading expert in therapeutic endoscopy at Mayo Clinic Arizona, performed the 4 cm colorectal lesion removal under an FDA Investigational Device Exemption pivotal trial. He praised the device for its intuitive use, enhanced surgical control through dynamic traction and counter-traction, and its potential to make complex procedures more straightforward and reproducible, representing a significant advancement in endoluminal therapies. EndoQuest developed the ELS System to address the technical challenges and steep learning curve associated with ESD and other advanced endoluminal procedures, which are limited by conventional flexible endoscopes. Preclinical data from Brigham and Women’s Hospital
roboticsmedical-roboticssurgical-robotsendoscopic-surgeryhealthcare-technologyrobotic-surgeryminimally-invasive-surgeryMicrobot Medical receives first Japanese patent for LIBERTY - The Robot Report
Microbot Medical, developer of the LIBERTY Endovascular Robotic System, has received its first Japanese patent covering the core technology of its compact robotic device designed to drive and manipulate elongate surgical tools. This milestone follows recent patents granted in the U.S., China, and Israel, as well as FDA 510(k) clearance in September. The company aims to expand beyond its initial focus on the U.S. market into strategically important regions like Japan, leveraging FDA clearance to potentially expedite local regulatory approvals and adoption. The LIBERTY system is designed to enhance precision, safety, and efficiency in neurovascular, cardiovascular, and peripheral vascular procedures through remote-controlled, single-use robotic technology. Microbot highlights that LIBERTY’s compact design could reduce procedure costs and improve care quality. Additionally, a recently granted patent for a modular robotic surgical system may enable adapting LIBERTY for a broader range of endovascular applications. To support ongoing development, commercialization, and regulatory efforts, Microbot plans to raise up
roboticsmedical-roboticssurgical-robotsendovascular-proceduresrobotic-surgeryhealthcare-technologymedical-devicesSoft robotic intubation device enables 87% first-pass success rate
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed a novel soft robotic intubation system (SRIS) that significantly improves the success rate and speed of endotracheal intubation, a critical procedure to maintain an open airway. Unlike traditional rigid laryngoscopes that require lifting the epiglottis and pushing a stiff tube into the trachea, the SRIS uses a soft, inflatable tube that everts and grows forward along the natural airway pathway, reducing tissue injury and friction. This innovative design allows the tube to automatically curve into the trachea, accommodating anatomical variations without the need for forceful manipulation. Testing on mannequins and cadavers demonstrated that expert users achieved a 100% success rate, while emergency responders such as EMTs and paramedics reached a 96% overall success after just five minutes of training. Non-experts attained an 87% first-pass success rate, placing the tube in an average of 21 seconds—less than half the time required by current
roboticssoft-roboticsmedical-deviceshealthcare-technologyemergency-medicinerobotic-intubationmedical-roboticsIntuition Robotics partners with Kanematsu to bring ElliQ to Japan - The Robot Report
Intuition Robotics, the developer of ElliQ—an AI-powered social robot designed to support older adults—has announced its expansion into the Japanese market through a partnership with Kanematsu Corp., a major trading company. This marks Intuition Robotics’ first international expansion outside the U.S. Kanematsu has also invested in the Israeli company, increasing Intuition Robotics’ total equity funding to $85 million. The collaboration aims to co-develop, localize, and distribute ElliQ in Japan by 2026, addressing Japan’s rapidly aging population and the resulting shortage of caregiving personnel. Kanematsu plans to leverage its extensive network of over 20,000 business partners to build ElliQ into a comprehensive platform supporting older adults’ lives. ElliQ is designed as a proactive companion that goes beyond simple conversational AI by engaging users based on their goals, remembering past interactions, and encouraging participation in daily activities to stimulate both mind and body. It offers features such as medication reminders, health management support
robotAIelderly-caresocial-robotJapan-markethealthcare-technologyrobotics-innovationLife-saving drones tested to reach patients faster than ambulances
Researchers at the University of Warwick, in partnership with the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and drone company SkyBound, have developed and tested a drone delivery system to provide Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) directly to cardiac arrest patients. In the UK, over 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually, with survival rates below 10%. Early use of CPR and AEDs can double survival chances, but bystanders often struggle to locate AEDs quickly, especially in remote or rural areas where ambulance response times are delayed. The tested system uses a DJI M300 drone to deliver an AED suspended by a winch in response to emergency calls, potentially reducing response times significantly. Emergency simulations in challenging rural locations demonstrated that drones could safely fly long distances, maintain communication with emergency services, and reach patients faster than ambulances. However, the study found that once the AED arrived, there was an average delay of over four minutes before a shock was delivered, partly due to bystanders
robotdronesemergency-responsehealthcare-technologyUAVlife-saving-technologyremote-medical-deliveryMicrobot Medical secures FDA clearance for endovascular surgical robot - The Robot Report
Microbot Medical has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Liberty endovascular surgical robot, marking it as the first FDA-cleared single-use, remotely operated robotic system designed for peripheral endovascular procedures. This clearance enables Microbot to commercialize Liberty in the U.S., targeting the approximately 2.5 million annual peripheral vascular procedures. The Liberty pivotal study demonstrated a 100% success rate in robotic navigation to target sites, zero device-related adverse events, and a significant 92% reduction in radiation exposure for physicians, highlighting its potential to improve procedural safety and efficiency. Liberty offers a compact, single-use solution that allows interventional physicians to perform neurovascular, cardiovascular, and peripheral vascular procedures remotely, aiming to enhance precision and reduce costs. Microbot also recently secured a patent for a modular robotic surgical system, which could allow future adaptations of Liberty to a broader range of endovascular procedures. With 12 patents granted globally and 57 pending, Microbot is positioning itself to expand its robotic
robotsurgical-robotendovascular-proceduresmedical-roboticsFDA-clearanceremote-operationhealthcare-technologyMark Cuban’s war on America’s $5 trillion healthcare machine: ‘They can’t react as quickly’
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban criticizes the U.S. healthcare system, particularly the opaque and inflated drug pricing driven by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which he says prioritize profit over patient affordability. Cuban highlights that many drug prices are set artificially high, with examples like generic chemotherapy drugs costing thousands at pharmacies but only around $21 through his company, Cost Plus Drugs. His company disrupts traditional pricing by selling medications directly to consumers at transparent costs—manufacturer’s price plus a modest markup and fees—bypassing PBMs and insurance carriers. Cuban also points to artificial drug shortages, allegedly created by manufacturers to inflate prices, and is addressing this by building a robotics-driven manufacturing plant in Dallas to quickly produce and supply drugs, especially those in short supply. Cuban’s approach challenges the entrenched healthcare system by refusing to work with PBMs or insurance companies, which he believes perpetuate inefficiencies and high costs. He contrasts his strategy with other big players like Amazon Pharmacy, which still rely on PB
robotenergymanufacturing-automationhealthcare-technologydrug-manufacturingrobotics-driven-factorysupply-chain-innovationEyebot gets $20M Series A to boost to expand eye care access
Eyebot, a Boston-based startup founded in 2021, has raised $20 million in a Series A funding round to expand its innovative vision care solution. The company offers a 90-second vision test via kiosks located in malls, universities, retail stores, pharmacies, schools, and airports, providing doctor-verified glasses prescriptions quickly and conveniently. By removing traditional barriers such as appointment delays, limited access, insurance complexities, and high costs, Eyebot aims to streamline vision care access. To date, the startup has conducted over 45,000 free vision tests and projects delivering more than half a million annually. Each test result is reviewed and approved by licensed eye doctors, ensuring clinical oversight and reliability, with referrals for in-person exams if abnormalities are detected. Eyebot’s model has gained traction with large U.S. partners and retailers, driving significant user engagement and revenue growth. The company leases its kiosks to optical retailers, eyewear brands, and independent practices, offering free vision
robothealthcare-technologyvision-test-kioskmedical-devicesAI-in-healthcaretelemedicinedigital-healthChinese doctors save man nearly decapitated in robotic arm accident
Chinese doctors at Shanghai Changzheng Hospital successfully saved a man who was nearly decapitated after being struck by a robotic arm in an industrial accident on May 31, 2025. The impact severed his cervical vertebrae and damaged critical arteries, leaving his neck connected only by soft tissue. Despite severe bruising, the patient’s spinal cord remained intact, which was crucial for survival. The man suffered immediate paralysis and cardiac arrest, with both vertebral arteries obstructed and blood pressure dangerously low. The medical team faced enormous risks, including potential catastrophic bleeding and infection, compounded by the patient’s critical condition that limited preoperative imaging and assessments. On June 18, a multidisciplinary surgical team performed a groundbreaking three-hour operation to remove a clot, realign the cervical bones, and stabilize the spine using auxiliary plates—a first in such a severe case. Surgeons had to make real-time decisions during the procedure to avoid secondary injuries to blood vessels and nerves. Post-surgery, the patient regained
robotrobotic-armmedical-roboticssurgeryhealthcare-technologyrobotic-accidentspinal-surgeryNew $5 wound sensor tracks healing without removing dressings
Researchers at RMIT University in Australia have developed a $5 Bluetooth-enabled wearable wound sensor that monitors healing without the need to remove dressings. The device continuously tracks key biomarkers such as temperature, pH, and inflammation—critical indicators of infection and wound healing progress—reducing the risk of bacterial contamination associated with frequent dressing changes. Early lab tests demonstrate that the sensor conforms well to curved body surfaces, making it practical for real-world use. The team is now preparing to collaborate with industry partners to advance the technology into clinical trials. A notable feature of this innovation is its reusability and sustainability, as it is made from biocompatible materials designed for durability, contrasting with many disposable smart bandages that generate medical waste. The sensor integrates seamlessly into existing medical manufacturing processes and could be produced at a cost below $5 per unit when scaled, potentially making it accessible for both developed and developing healthcare systems. This technology builds on RMIT’s patented high-resistivity silicon-based sensor platform capable of
IoTwearable-technologywound-sensorBluetooth-sensormedical-devicessmart-bandagehealthcare-technologyRobotic neck surgery replaces heart valve without chest incision
Surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic have successfully performed the world’s first robotic aortic valve replacement (AVR) through a small neck incision, avoiding the traditional chest opening (sternotomy). Led by Dr. Marijan Koprivanac, this transcervical robotic approach offers a less-invasive alternative to conventional AVR, which typically requires opening the chest and results in longer, more painful recoveries. The technique uses robotic arms inserted via a small incision along a natural neck crease, allowing precise removal of the diseased valve and implantation of a prosthetic valve through four small incisions. Four patients underwent this procedure earlier in 2025, all experiencing low pain levels and rapid recovery, with some returning to physical activities within a week. Building on Dr. Koprivanac’s prior experience with transcervical thymectomy, the team refined the AVR technique through cadaver studies before clinical application. Initial cases showed an average cross-clamp time of about 140 minutes, with most patients discharged within
roboticsrobotic-surgerymedical-robotsminimally-invasive-surgeryhealthcare-technologyrobotic-assisted-surgerysurgical-innovationSS Innovations surpasses 100 surgical robot deployments
SS Innovations International has surpassed 100 installations of its SSi Mantra surgical robotic systems across India and six other countries, with over 5,000 successful surgeries performed to date, including 240 cardiac surgeries and 32 telesurgeries. The SSi Mantra 3 system features more than 40 types of robotic endo-surgical instruments catering to various specialties, emphasizing affordability, accessibility, and ease of use. The company aims to expand its global footprint, planning to submit a De Novo application to the U.S. FDA by July 2025 and pursue CE marking certification in the European Union by late 2025. Recently, SS Innovations completed a pioneering robotic telesurgery for weight loss, performing two One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) procedures remotely over a 560-mile distance between Gurugram and Indore, India. The surgeries were conducted with zero perceptible lag and flawless precision, led remotely by Dr. Mohit Bhandari, a leading
robotsurgical-robotsrobotic-surgerytelesurgerymedical-roboticsSS-Innovationshealthcare-technologyHumanoid robots show promise in surgery as hospital strain grows
A recent study by University of California San Diego researchers demonstrates the potential of humanoid surgical robots to alleviate physician burnout and reduce hospital wait times amid growing healthcare system strains. The team developed a bimanual teleoperation system for the Unitree G1 humanoid robot, equipped with Inspire Gen4 robotic hands, allowing a human operator to remotely control both arms for diverse medical tasks. Tested across seven procedures—including physical exams (such as auscultation and Leopold maneuvers), emergency interventions (like Bag Valve Mask ventilation and endotracheal intubation), and precision needle insertions—the robot showed promising ability to replicate key medical assessments and interventions. The system employs impedance control and a virtual spring-damper mechanism to ensure safe, precise, and coordinated bimanual movements, with operator inputs captured via foot pedals, HTC Vive trackers, and cameras. Despite these advances, challenges remain, notably limited force capacity for high-strength procedures and sensor sensitivity constraints affecting accuracy. The study highlights that current surgical robots tend
robothumanoid-robotssurgical-robotsteleoperationmedical-roboticshealthcare-technologyrobotic-surgeryMendaera earns FDA clearance for Focalist handheld robotic system - The Robot Report
Mendaera Inc., based in San Mateo, California, has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Focalist handheld robotic system, designed to improve the precision and ease of ultrasound-guided needle placement across various medical specialties. This technology aims to address the challenges of needle-based interventions—such as organ access, biopsies, and vascular access—that require high operator skill and experience, which can vary widely and affect patient outcomes. Focalist integrates handheld control, real-time ultrasound imaging, touchscreen targeting, robotic needle positioning, and continuous needle depth tracking to enable consistent, minimally invasive procedures. The company, backed by prominent investors and having raised $73 million in Series B funding led by Threshold Ventures, is positioning Focalist as a new category of handheld robotics to make precision surgery more accessible and efficient. Initial commercialization efforts will focus on urology procedures like percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), with plans to expand into other specialties. Experts highlight the system’s potential to enhance safety,
roboticsmedical-roboticshandheld-robotic-systemultrasound-guided-proceduresprecision-surgeryminimally-invasive-surgeryhealthcare-technologyIntuitive Surgical obtains CE mark for da Vinci 5 robot - The Robot Report
Intuitive Surgical has received CE mark approval for its latest da Vinci 5 Surgical System, allowing its use for minimally invasive endoscopic procedures in both adult and pediatric patients across Europe. The system is designed for a range of surgeries including urologic, gynecologic, and general laparoscopic procedures within the abdominopelvic and thoracoscopic regions. The da Vinci 5 represents over a decade of development and is described as the company’s most advanced and integrated robotic platform, aiming to improve surgical outcomes, efficiency, and provide actionable insights for future minimally invasive care. The da Vinci 5 system features more than 150 enhancements over previous models, including new surgeon controllers, vibration and tremor controls, and Force Feedback-enabled technology. It offers the most realistic 3D vision system to date and an ergonomic surgeon console to support surgeon longevity. Operational improvements include greater surgeon autonomy, streamlined workflows with a universal user interface, and integrated dynamic assistance to automate certain tasks. The system also incorporates an intelligent
robotsurgical-robotda-Vinci-surgical-systemminimally-invasive-surgerymedical-roboticsrobotic-surgeryhealthcare-technologyUS surgeons perform robotic heart transplant with no chest incision
In a groundbreaking first for the United States, surgeons at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston successfully performed a fully robotic heart transplant without opening the chest or cutting through the breastbone. Conducted in early March 2025 on a 45-year-old man with advanced heart failure, the procedure utilized robotic tools to make small incisions and navigate through the preperitoneal space, enabling the removal of the diseased heart and implantation of the donor organ. This minimally invasive approach significantly reduced surgical trauma, blood loss, infection risk, and improved recovery by preserving the chest wall’s integrity. The robotic heart transplant marks a major advancement in transplant surgery, combining robotic precision with one of medicine’s most complex operations. Unlike traditional open-chest transplants, this method avoids bone cutting, which lowers the need for blood transfusions and reduces the risk of antibody development that can lead to organ rejection. The patient was discharged a month after surgery without complications, highlighting the potential for faster mobilization, better lung
robotrobotic-surgeryheart-transplantmedical-roboticsminimally-invasive-surgerysurgical-robothealthcare-technologyNHS plans to cut waitlist times by expanding access to robotic surgeries - The Robot Report
The NHS of England has announced ambitious plans to significantly expand the use of robotic surgery over the next decade to reduce waiting times and improve patient outcomes. By 2035, the NHS aims to perform half a million robotic operations annually, a substantial increase from 70,000 in 2023-2024. Robotic surgery, particularly in keyhole procedures, is expected to become the default approach for 90% of such surgeries, up from 20% today. This expansion is part of the NHS’s broader commitment to shorten elective waiting times by 2029, leveraging advanced technology to increase surgical capacity, enhance precision, and promote faster patient recovery with shorter hospital stays. Robotic surgery offers several advantages over traditional methods, including greater dexterity for surgeons and less physical strain, as surgeons operate instruments via a console with 3D visualization. The technology has broadened beyond its initial focus on urological cancer surgeries to include colorectal, gynecological, ENT, and orthopedic procedures. Some robotic systems
roboticsrobotic-surgeryNHShealthcare-technologymedical-robotssurgical-robotskeyhole-surgerySS Innovations reaches 4,000 robotic surgeries with SSi Mantra robotic system - The Robot Report
robotrobotic-surgerytelesurgeryhealthcare-technologysurgical-systemsmedical-roboticsSS-InnovationsSS Innovations to submit SSi Mantra 3 to FDA in July
robotsurgical-roboticstelesurgeryFDA-approvalhealthcare-technologymachine-learningmodular-design