Intuitive India, the India arm of Intuitive, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), has launched India’s first robotic-assisted surgical stapler called SureForm™ that comes equipped with SmartFire technology-an integrated software. With 1,000+ measurements per second, SmartFire makes automatic adjustments to the firing process as staplers are being formed and as the transection is being made to help optimize a consistent staple line and prevent tissue damage across a range of tissue thicknesses.

With SureForm™, the surgeon can fire the stapler from the console while performing the RAS procedure, retaining complete control and autonomy over the surgery. Combining da Vinci’s tremor filtration with SureForm™ 60’s tip stability and 120◦ of articulation in all directions provides surgeons with precise stapler manipulation and placement.  A 120◦ cone of articulation gives the surgeon the freedom to approach tissue where it naturally lies, potentially reducing the need to pull it towards the stapler.

Commenting on the India launch, Mandeep Singh Kumar, VP and General Manager, Intuitive India, said, “At Intuitive, we continue to push the boundaries of science and technology to enable the medical fraternity for providing life-enhancing care to patients. Our latest technology, SureForm™, is another step towards simplifying the surgical process. In order to aid faster adoption in India, Intuitive is supporting surgeons by facilitating product experience, training, and assistance during surgery. We’ve been continuously receiving positive feedback from the first few surgeons who have used SureForm™.”

Prof. Dr. SP Somashekhar, Chairman & HOD- Surgical Oncology, Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Center, said, “SureForm™ provides the surgeon with the much-needed degree of articulation to approach tissue where it naturally lies. Most laparoscopic players have only 45° articulation left to right with no up and down articulation. However, this robotic stapler allows surgeons more autonomy given the greater motion range that can be achieved compared to laparoscopic staplers, making it convenient to access smaller spaces effectively. For example, in recent oesophageal cancer surgery, a complex procedure, it was easy to resect and create an anastomosis during surgery.”

SureForm™ portfolio can be used by all robotic surgeons who access Intuitive’s latest 4th Generation systems – da Vinci X & Xi. However, given the criticality of stapling in determining surgical outcomes in surgical procedures like colorectal surgeons, gastrointestinal surgeons, surgical oncologists, bariatric surgeons, and HPB (Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary), surgeons would find it most beneficial with the potential to resect, transect and/or create an anastomosis.

Speaking about the user benefits of robotic staplers, Glenn Vavoso, SVP and General Manager- Asia, Intuitive, said, “Surgical stapling with da Vinci staplers is the most advanced choice available to surgeons today for the resection, transection and/or creation of anastomosis. With this introduction, we are underscoring our commitment to continuously innovate and bring forward a broad range of enabling technologies and resources for surgeons spanning several specialties. We have received encouraging feedback from the clinical community in the US, UK, and other Asia markets where this technology is already being used and are confident that both surgeons and patients in India will similarly benefit from the unique features of SureForm™ Stapling.”