The Dexter surgical robot. | Source: Distalmotion
Distalmotion has made its first sale of multiple surgical robots in the U.S. AdventHealth, which operates 50 hospitals in nine states, has chosen Distalmotion’s DEXTER system to support the growth of minimally invasive procedures. It has already completed its first cases with the system.
“We’re excited to have completed our first cases with DEXTER as we bring robotic surgery to our outpatient department,” said Dr. Carlos Ortiz-Ortiz M.D., FACS, general surgeon at AdventHealth Celebration. “As we expand our capabilities, we’re focused on solutions that align with our goals for flexibility and efficiency.”
DEXTER is designed to simplify operations and widen access to robotic surgery worldwide, according to Distalmotion. The Lausanne, Switzerland-based company offers its technology to hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). Distalmotion, which has U.S. offices in Cleveland, said DEXTER is commercially available in the U.S. and Europe.
DEXTER designed for flexibility
Demand for surgical robotics continues to rise, and more high-volume soft-tissue procedures—such as inguinal hernia repair and cholecystectomy—are moving into outpatient settings. In response, healthcare facilities are seeking solutions that match their clinical and operational needs. However, their focus on efficiency and patient experience makes existing soft-tissue robots impractical due to size, operational complexity, and costs, said Distalmotion.
The company said it designed DEXTER to be mobile and small enough to be easily moved between operating rooms (ORs), set up quickly, and integrated into existing procedures. It could reduce turnover time, maximize throughput, and increase the number of patients who benefit from minimally invasive care, said Distalmotion.
The company claimed that DEXTER is the only system available in the U.S. and European markets with both a sterile console and fully open architecture. The sterile console enables surgeons to perform bedside tasks and then immediately return to operation without a change in sterility or redocking of the robot.
The console keeps the surgeon close to the patient, supports transitions between laparoscopic and robotic techniques as desired, and enhances communication with OR teams, said Distalmotion.
DEXTER’s open architecture supports the use of preferred instruments and OR technologies that are already available in the facility, minimizing the need to to purchase costly new technologies. DEXTER comes with a suite of fully wristed single-use robotic instruments to enhance dexterity and precision.
The architecture enables compatibility with existing and future OR technologies, including visualization systems and advanced devices, for cost-effective supply chain operations. Together, these features give surgeons the ability to use workflows they believe are best for each patient.
“This multi-system sale underscores how health systems are seeking more flexible solutions that bring the benefits of robotics to ORs across their sites of care,” stated Greg Roche, CEO of Distalmotion. “DEXTER is designed to meet the realities of outpatient surgery, without compromising existing practices.”
Distalmotion builds momentum in U.S. expansion
The DEXTER Robotic Surgery System is currently authorized only for use in inguinal hernia repair and cholecystectomy for adults 22 years old and older in the U.S. In Europe, the robot is intended to assist in the accurate control of laparoscopic surgical instruments during urologic, general, and gynecologic procedures.
DEXTER has been involved in more than 2,000 procedures completed globally across general, gynecological, and urological specialties. Distalmotion said remains focused on making robotic surgery more accessible across more sites of care globally.
In March, the company said it had completed its first U.S. sale and delivery of DEXTER to Memorial Hermann Health System. The integrated system serves Southeast Texas and the greater Houston community with more than 270 care delivery sites, including 17 hospitals.
Later that month, it announced that Northtowns ASC had chosen DEXTER for robotic outpatient surgeries.
This year, Distalmotion also completed two studies, the NEST study (NCT06473688) focused on cholecystectomy and the HYPER study (NCT06473675) pertaining to benign hysterectomy. Distalmotion has also initiated its sacrocolpopexy clinical study, with the first patient enrolled in Q1 2025. The company said these studies will help it better meet the evolving needs of healthcare providers.
Editor’s note: This article is syndicated The Robot Report sibling site MassDevice.
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