MIRA (robot surgeon)

2023: Release of version with bowel resection function

On May 18, 2023, the American company Virtual Incision, headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, announced the release of an advanced MIRA surgeon robot designed to perform abdominal surgeries.

The presented system can be used during procedures related to intestinal resection. This is the removal of a part of the small or large intestine due to a particular disease. Surgery, in particular, is indicated for malignant tumors, severe injuries, inflammatory processes, bleeding and other lesions of the intestinal tract.

New version of MIRA robot surgeon could be used in bowel resection

The MIRA system is relatively compact in size, which improves the convenience of performing surgical interventions. Virtual Incision notes that the device can be used in any operating room - both as a standalone solution and in addition to other tools. Overall, the improved MIRA miniature platform is claimed to represent the first system for robotic surgery in its category with the ability to resect the intestines. The developer has more than 200 patents and patent applications related to the technologies underlying MIRA.

The robot has the most convenient design without a docking station. Thanks to this, it is easy to prepare for work and cleaning. The addition of new features, according to Virtual Incision, makes the company a pioneer in the field of robotic soft tissue surgery. In the future, it is planned to release various accessories for MIRA. As John Murphy, President and CEO of Virtual Incision, noted, the operational efficiency of the complex makes it potentially suitable for a variety of surgical interventions in millions of patients annually. It is planned to promote the solution on the international market.^[1]

2020: MIRA robot surgeon announcement for complex abdominal surgeries

At the end of October 2020, Virtual Incision introduced the MIRA platform, which is positioned as a "miniature robot assistant in vivo." It is designed for complex abdominal surgeries. According to the developers, this is the first miniature surgical platform of its kind.

With regulatory approval, Virtual Incision began a clinical trial of MIRA in several hospitals USA to subsequently obtain registration of its platform in the surgical market. robotics

The platform itself includes a small, self-contained surgical device inserted into the patient's abdomen through a single midline incision. Due to its miniature nature, the new platform allows complex multi-quadrant abdominal surgery using existing minimally invasive tools and techniques.

Virtual Incision unveils MIRA robot surgeon for complex abdominal surgeries

The use of MIRA also does not require special operating or specialized infrastructure, and its small size suggests that the platform will become a cost-effective and affordable option for laparoscopic surgery.

Due to the obvious benefits for patients, the demand for robotic surgery continues to grow, although a number of problems continue to impede the wider adoption of these tools, said John Murphy, President and CEO of Virtual Incision, in a press release. - MIRA must overcome these limitations as it provides a simple and cost-effective solution for miniinvasive laparoscopic surgery available to more patients. The start of the clinical study is an important stage that will allow us to assess the safety and effectiveness of the new device. We look forward to working closely with surgical teams and research centers to make miniinvasive surgery more accessible through the MIRA platform.[2]

Notes