MARS™, the world's first magnetic system laparoscopic surgical robot, goes into commercial use

October 24th, 2023 - Levita Magnetics, a medical technology company focused on minimally invasive surgery, announced the world's first commercial use of the MARS™ minimally invasive surgical robotic platform it developed. This important milestone was made possible by the successful completion of the first surgery using the new MARS™ system by Professor Matthew Kroh and Dr. Andrew Strong of the Cleveland Clinic.

First commercial use

MARS™ is an innovative minimally invasive surgical platform that combines a magnetic system with robotics for the high-volume laparoscopic surgery market. This includes laparoscopic bariatric surgery, cholecystectomy, prostate and colorectal surgery, etc. Utilizing the Magnetic System and robotics, the MARS™ platform reduces surgical incisions and allows the surgeon to have absolute control over the laparoscopic procedure. In addition, the MARS™ surgical robot is designed to be as small as possible, taking up less space and fitting into existing operating rooms.

In August 2023, Levita Magnetics, Inc. announced that the MARS™ platform had received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its first commercial use just over two months later. Levita's Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Alberto Rodriguez-Navarro, stated that they were pleased to be able to start the commercial process so quickly after the MARS™ system was cleared by the FDA. He believes that this technology is at the forefront of a major shift in the approach to high-volume, minimally invasive abdominal surgery in the United States and around the world, and their goal is to demonstrate that this revolutionary technology can enhance surgeon control and enable better visualization, while reducing the number of incisions and delivering significant benefits to patients.

The MARS™ system builds on the clinical benefits of the Levita Magnetic Surgery System, with faster patient recovery, reduced pain and less scarring after surgery. In addition, a surgeon-controlled machine arm gives the surgeon complete control over the laparoscopic view and magnetic retractor, reducing the number of assistants needed during the procedure. The console-less system's compact footprint benefits hospitals and outpatient surgery centers by increasing surgical efficiency and enabling more efficient deployment of surgical staff to provide a differentiated patient experience.

MARS™ Surgical Robot

MARS™ is a first-of-its-kind minimally invasive surgical platform that combines a magnetic system with robotics for laparoscopic surgery designed to improve patient outcomes. The product architecture consists of the robot and the Levita Magnetic Surgical System, which consists of three parts: the magnetic grasper, the magnetic controller and the detachable endpiece. The magnetic grasping forceps and the magnetic controller are fixed to two robotic arms respectively, which are controlled by the robotic arms. This solves the problems of needing an assistant to hold and the magnetic controller to fit the abdomen. The dynamic magnetic retraction can expand the surgical field, and the surgeon-controlled robotic arm can reduce the number of assistants during the operation.

Magnetic Surgery

Magnetic Surgery is an innovative medical technology used in a variety of abdominal surgeries including gallbladder, prostate, colorectal and bariatric surgery. Magnetic Surgery is based on the power of magnetic fields to manipulate and control surgical tools, resulting in highly precise and minimally invasive surgical operations. Surgery is often performed using a magnetic control system, whereby the surgeon manipulates the surgical tools through an external manipulator. These surgical tools are usually made of magnetic materials that can be moved and positioned by the control of the magnetic system. Magnetic systems typically include magnets and electromagnetic coils that allow precise manipulation of surgical tools within the patient by placing magnets or electromagnetic coils inside the patient.

Levita Magnetics

Levita Magnetics is a California-based medical device company headquartered in Silicon Valley and founded by surgeon Dr. Alberto Rodriguez-Navarro. The company is focused on the use of magnetic technology in surgical applications and has received FDA and CE approval for the Levita Magnetic Surgical System, which is used in procedures such as cholecystectomies and sleeve gastrectomies, and is working on the development of other types of surgical applications. Levita Magnetics is also working on the development of other types of surgical applications.