FDA approves Auris Robotic Endoscopy System to provide bronchoscopic visualization of patient airways- Auris Surgical Robotics

The FDA has approved on 25 May 2016 the first medical robot from Auris Surgical Robotics, a startup led by Frederic Moll, co-founder of Intuitive Surgical, makers of the widely-used da Vinci robot. The teleoperated ARES robot (the acronym stands for Auris Robotic Endoscopy System), was cleared by the FDA to provide bronchoscopic visualization of patient airways and could now be used for diagnosing and treating patients.

Comment: The approval is seen as the start of a wider venture by Auris into robotic endolumenal (or endoluminal) surgery. This approach involves surgeons introducing flexible robots via the body’s natural openings ( in particular via the mouth), to address conditions of the throat, lungs and gastrointestinal system. Because endolumenal surgery does not involve large incisions or (usually) general anesthesia, it benefits fragile patients who cannot withstand the trauma of normal surgery.