Revolutionizing Arthroscopic Surgery: Exploring the World's First Arthroscopic Robot V01

In the medical field, arthroscopic surgery is a common diagnostic and treatment method that helps more than 50 million patients regain their health every year. However, despite its widespread application, traditional arthroscopic techniques still have limitations that not only affect surgical efficiency but also impose additional burdens on patients and doctors. As technology continues to advance, the introduction of robotics is seen as a disruptive solution aimed at improving the precision and safety of arthroscopic surgery. Against this background, Australian start-up company Convergence Medical emerged and is committed to developing the world's first arthroscopic surgical robot V01, aiming to solve complex problems encountered during surgery.

Founded in September 2022, Convergence Medical is a preclinical startup company focused on medical robotics. By raising $3 million in angel and first-round seed funding, Convergence Medical successfully developed the V01 robot, which received breakthrough device designation from the FDA in December 2023 and is expected to be officially launched by the end of 2025. Dr. Chris Jeffery, founder and CEO of Convergence Medical, draws on his extensive experience in engineering, orthopedics and entrepreneurship to lead teams that solve complex challenges in the operating room.

The V01 robot was developed to solve multiple problems in arthroscopic surgery, including improving surgical accuracy, reducing the cognitive and physical burden on surgeons, shortening surgical time, and reducing surgical complications. The robot has a wide range of applications and is planned to be used in four specific categories of surgery: meniscus, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), rotator cuff, and labrum repair and reconstruction. By providing better surgical positioning and shortening surgery time, the V01 robot not only improves the patient's surgical experience, but also reduces anesthesia, cardiovascular damage and swelling, and speeds up patient recovery.

The design of the V01 robot takes into account the actual needs of the operating room and adopts a ring-shaped design that will not hinder the surgeon's movements or block the hospital bed. The robotic arm is designed with six degrees of freedom, with an additional three degrees of freedom built into the smart end plate to allow the instrument to function. In addition, the V01 robot also supports control through user consoles and VR/AR headsets, improving the surgeon's flexibility and surgical efficiency.

Dr. Chris Jeffery, founder and CEO of Convergence Medical, said growth will take time because of the unique nature of the robotic platform. In November 2025, his company plans to launch its first robot in California. There are plans to deploy 30 robots by mid-2026.

Although the development and promotion of the V01 robot faces multiple challenges, including market acceptance of the technical concept, limitations of the capital sales model, and cost issues, Convergence Medical has adopted an innovative business model by providing consumables based on surgical cases. And optimized logistics and supply chain management to lower the hospital’s procurement and usage thresholds. Through this model, patients can be provided with better surgical solutions without increasing the total cost of care.

With the continuous advancement of technology and the gradual recognition of the market, the V01 arthroscopic surgical robot is expected to be widely used in the next few years, bringing revolutionary changes to the field of arthroscopic surgery. By improving surgical accuracy, reducing doctors' burden, shortening recovery time and reducing the risk of complications, the V01 robot will provide patients with safer and more efficient treatment options and open a new chapter in arthroscopic surgery.