TransEnterix Announces First Clinical Use of Senhance Robotic Surgical System in France

TransEnterix Inc., a medical device company pioneering the use of robotics to improve minimally invasive surgery, has successfully begun clinical use of the Senhance Robotic Surgical System in France as part of its clinical leadership program.
 
Professor Celine Chauleur, a gynecologic oncologist at CHU Saint-Ètienne, was the first surgeon to utilize the Senhance system in France. The first case—a hysterectomy for endometrial cancer with pelvic lymphadenectomy—was performed on Feb. 7. The surgery was successfully performed and the patient was discharged less than 24 hours after procedure.
 
“I am very pleased to now offer Senhance surgery to my patients for the treatment of gynecologic cancers,” said Chauleur. “As a minimally invasive surgeon, I appreciate the precision and control of this robotic surgical system to manage delicate tasks. The surgery requires minimal change from the gold standard laparoscopic approach, and I am able to operate comfortably while easily communicating with the surgical team using the open robotic console. The robot also allows me to carefully control advanced 3D visualization by simply moving my eyes, and the haptic feedback enables me to actually feel the location of other ancillary devices needed in the surgery.”
 
“This is an important milestone for our company as we continue the growth and adoption of Senhance Surgery to treat patients across Europe,” said Todd M. Pope, president and CEO at TransEnterix. “CHU Saint-Ètienne is a leading academic medical institution in France and we are pleased with the successful start of a Senhance Robotic Surgery Clinical Leadership Program in gynecologic surgery at this important hospital.”
 
TransEnterix is focused on the commercialization of the Senhance Surgical Robotic System, a multi-port robotic system that brings the advantages of robotic surgery to patients while enabling surgeons with innovative technology such as haptic feedback and eye sensing camera control. The Morrisville, N.C.-based company is also developing the SurgiBot System, a single-port, robotically enhanced laparoscopic surgical platform. The Senhance Surgical Robotic System has been granted a CE Mark but is not currently available for sale in the United States.