Obvius Robotics Completes First-in-Human Cases

Obvius Robotics, a company that’s developed a technology platform to perform percutaneous access, successfully completed its first human cases.
 
The cases were conducted at The Sanatorio Italiano in Asuncion, Paraguay under supervision of principal investigator Adrian Ebner, MD. The clinical team successfully placed central venous catheters (CVC) during 19 procedures using the company’s CERTA access system. It combines image guidance and precise, targeted needle placement in a handheld device that enables quick and reliable identification of target structures like blood vessels, and rapid access for procedures like CVC placement in the subclavian and jugular veins.
 
The median time for access was under three minutes, according to the company.
 
“We know that early central venous catheter insertion yields the best results in reducing mortality and hospitalization in acutely ill ICU and ER patients,” William Cohn, MD, chief medical officer of Obvius Robotics and inventor of the CERTA access system, told the press. “CERTA enables clinicians of various levels of experience to quickly and reliably treat these patients, and in so doing, democratizes and standardizes a common procedure that today requires a certain level of skill and experience.”
 
The CERTA access system is a development stage device for clinicians to single-handedly target anatomical structures and access them using a proprietary targeting system and needle assembly. The product isn’t yet available for sale, but the company is preparing for regulatory clearance and commercialization.
 
“This successful first-in-human study comes after two years of rigorous work proving the design and value proposition in a preclinical setting,” stated Russell Seiber, CEO and president of Obvius Robotics. “We hope this will mark an important milestone in bringing this potentially groundbreaking technology to patients on a global scale.”