In recent years, it has become common to perform minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to reduce the physical burden on patients. Assisting surgeons in conducting operations with greater precision, robotic-assisted surgery systems are currently used for urologic and gynecologic operations. The global surgical robots market is expected to grow from 550 billion yen in 2020 to approximately 1,150 billion yen by 2025,1 indicating that the need for such systems will continue to increase on a global scale.
On August 7, 2020, Medicaroid received Japanese regulatory approval for hinotori, the first made-in-Japan robotic-assisted surgery system. Additionally, on September 1, 2020, hinotori received approval for insurance coverage as a "surgical robot unit (I) under A2 category (Specifically Comprehensive)," followed by approval for a training program from the Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery (JSES). With today's opening of a training center at the Kobe University Hospital International Clinical Cancer Research Center (ICCRC), all the preparatory work needed to introduce this product to clinical settings has been completed.
A global general distributor of hinotori, Sysmex will launch this surgical robot system for medical institutions in Japan on December 4, 2020, starting with urology departments.
Compact enough to fit in Japan's standard operating rooms, hinotori can be smoothly installed into existing operating rooms and, coupled with introduction/maintenance plans that will benefit hospital management, hinotori lowers the barriers for its introduction and operation. Equipped with user-friendly robot arms that lower interference from other arms and create ample space for assistant surgeons, a high-definition 3D videoscope that allows surgeons to view the microscopic structure of tissues, a surgeon cockpit that reduces surgeons' fatigue during lengthy operations, and a network support system that monitors operating conditions, hinotori supports medical professionals in conducting operations with greater precision. Furthermore, in anticipation of the future of robotic telesurgery, it has been designed to be network compatible, using its superior expandability to offer solutions to the healthcare challenges that lie ahead.
In fiscal 2020, Sysmex is focused on increasing the number of cases where hinotori is used in Japan, to heighten brand recognition and market penetration before its full-fledged introduction in fiscal 2021. Also, working with Medicaroid in obtaining regulatory approvals outside of Japan, Sysmex aims to launch the product in overseas markets from fiscal 2022.
Sysmex is committed to contributing to a prosperous society where everyone, including patients, their families, and medical professionals, can live with peace of mind, through the introduction of such innovations as hinotori, which realizes a safer and more efficient surgical environment.
Product Overview
JMDN: Surgical robot unit
Brand name: hinotori Surgical Robot System
(Approval number: 0200BZX00256000)
JMDN: Reusable active endotherapy device
Brand name: HF series instruments
(Approval number: 30200BZX00257000)
Target market: Japan
Marketing authorization holder: Medicaroid Corporation
About Medicaroid
Name: Medicaroid Corporation
Location: International Medical Device Alliance, 6th Floor,
1-6-5 Minatojima Minami-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
Establishment: August 29, 2013
Capital: ¥7.96 billion (as of December 31, 2019)
Ownership: Kawasaki Heavy Industries: 50%; Sysmex Corporation: 50%
Representatives: President: Kaoru Asano
Executive Vice President: Hirofumi Tanaka
Lines of business: Marketing, development, design, manufacturing, sales, and after-sales-service related to medical robots
Reference
August 11, 2020 press release entitled “Medicaroid receives Japanese regulatory approval for the “hinotori™ Surgical Robot System”, the first made-in-Japan robotic assisted surgery system”
Terminology
- “Global Surgical Robots Market, Forecast and Opportunities, 2025,” TechSci Research
Information contained in the press release is current as of the date of the announcement but may be subject to change without prior notice.