Microbot Medical released data Wednesday from a pivotal trial of its Liberty Endovascular Robotic System. The small, investigational, single-use surgical robot features a video game-style controller that physicians use to remotely guide off-the-shelf instruments through blood vessels.
Physicians at three U.S. medical centers used the system in 20 procedures. Successful robotic navigation was achieved in every case, meeting the primary endpoint of the study, and there were no adverse device events.
Microbot generated evidence to support its claims about the technology. The company tracked a 92% relative reduction in radiation exposure. Microbot designed the system to allow physicians to sit away from the radiation source during procedures, potentially reducing the risk to interventional radiologists. Median navigation time to target was three minutes, and the physician satisfaction rate was 100%.
The company had net working capital of about $3.4 million at the end of last year and raised $13 million in February. Microbot hired a vice president of sales in March in anticipation of receiving clearance from the Food and Drug Administration in the second quarter.
Alcon exec joins GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare named Jeannette Bankes as president and CEO of its patient care solutions business, the company announced Wednesday.
The unit provides technologies for monitoring patients and delivering anesthesia. GE Healthcare reported $827 million in patient care solutions revenues in the fourth quarter of 2024. On a February earnings call, CFO Jay Saccaro said sales were flat as monitoring solution results offset services growth.
Bankes, who will start in the role on May 1, is joining GE Healthcare from Alcon, where she worked as president of global franchises. The role gave Bankes oversight of development, portfolio management and commercialization for global surgical, vision care and ocular health products.
Bankes worked at Boston Scientific and Merck before joining Alcon.
GE Healthcare hired Bankes to replace Tom Westrick, who is retiring after more than 20 years at GE Healthcare. Westrick will stay at the company until the end of May to support Bankes’ transition into the role.
Puzzle Medical Devices raises $31M
Puzzle Medical Devices raised 43 million Canadian dollars (approximately $31 million) to fund work on its percutaneous heart pump. The financing, which was led by KF Matheson and Desjardins Capital, will equip Puzzle to refine its device, advance clinical assessments of its safety and efficacy and expand the team to support growth.
The company designed the minimally invasive long-term hemodynamic transcatheter pump for chronic heart failure patients. Puzzle is positioning its device as a safer alternative to open-heart surgery that can reduce complications.
The company raised 34 million Canadian dollars in 2023 to complete a human feasibility study.
