Advances in robotics surgery to pave the way for wider access, says Professor Tony Costello

MedTech News: The world of robotic surgery is shifting, all with the promise of potential improvements in performance and cost over the current market-dominant leaders.

Professor Tony Costello, a leading urologist who pioneered robotics surgery in Australia, and Director and CEO of International Medical Robotics Academy (IMRA) joined this Health Industry Hub podcast to discuss the evolution of robotics surgery and how newer and more cost-effective technologies will close the current surgical and funding gaps to pave the way for wider clinician and patient access.

He said “It was a very tricky ride because there was a lot of scepticism about a very expensive piece of equipment being used to perform surgeries…When I first saw the prototype, I thought ‘well, that’s the answer’ because it will allow the surgeon to move intuitively rather than counter intuitively…and you also have 10 times better vision in 3D.”

Professor Costello reflected on the current models of surgical training, the need for a linear and proficiency-based curriculum and a new industry partnership which aims to boost surgeon training in robotics, somewhat similar to how Qantas trains its pilots.

On the future of robotics surgery he stated “There will be a robot in every operating room, not just in every hospital. The new technologies coming will make sure that there’s a diffusion of all the new systems, which will be much cheaper as well, into all the hospitals.”