Medtronic Hugo Scores Health Canada License

Medtronic hit a major milestone in surgical robotics last month when it received a CE mark for the Hugo robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system. Now, the company's Canadian subsidiary has received a Health Canada license for the Medtronic Hugo RAS system for use in use in urologic and gynecologic laparoscopic surgical procedures, which make up about half of all robotic procedures performed today.

BD 'Seals' Another Deal

BD has been quite acquisitive this year (see below). The company's latest move on the M&A trail is for surgical sealant maker Tissuemed. Leeds, England-based Tissuemed's lead product, Tissuepatch, is a sealant technology that bonds to tissue to help control internal bleeding or prevent leaks from surgical incisions. The technology's thin, flexible and transparent composition that is ready to use out of the package makes it ideally suited for a range of surgical sealant applications.

And in case you missed our last Medtech in a Minute report...

BD Is Hot on the M&A Trail

BD is one of a handful of medtech companies that have been active in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The company said it will acquire Venclose, a company that has developed an RF ablation technology platform that treats a disease that is the result of malfunctioning valves and can lead to varicose veins. This marks the seventh acquisition that BD has announced in 2021.

Investors Back Virtual Incision with $46M Financing

Virtual Incision, a company developing a miniaturized in vivo robotic assistant surgical platform, has raised $46 million in a series C financing. John Murphy, the company's president and CEO, told MD+DI the funding will be used for clinical regulatory work, R&D, and for building out its engineering and commercial teams. The company is targeting colon surgery for its first indication and, if all goes according to plan, it will pursue indications for gallbladder removal, hysterectomy, sleeve gastrectomy, and others.

A 3D-Printed Eye? Oh My!

A man in London, England has become the first person in the world to receive a fully digital 3D-printed eye. The 3D-printed eye is a true biomimic and a more realistic prosthetic, with clearer definition and real depth to the pupil, according to Moorfields Eye Hospital. Unlike traditional methods, it uses scans of the eye instead of an invasive mold of the eye socket.