News 2025-02-04

Erop Successfully Completes Preclinical Trials for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Collaboration with Rainbow Robotics


 

Erop, a specialized manufacturer of surgical medical devices (CEO Jun-Seok Park), announced on the 4th that it had successfully completed preclinical trials for laparoscopic cholecystectomy using the "Eroptix 2nd Generation Laparoscopic Surgery-assisted Cooperative Robot," developed in collaboration with Rainbow Robotics, a leading robotics platform company. The trials were conducted at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, the Catholic University of Korea using cadavers donated for research purposes.

 

This cadaver-based preclinical trial was conducted to evaluate the practicality and functionality of the "Eroptix 2nd Generation Laparoscopic Surgery-assisted Cooperative Robot" in real-world surgical procedures.

 

The surgical assistant robot "Eroptix," jointly developed by Erop and Professor Sang Rok Jin's team from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Pusan National University, officially entered the surgical robot market with the launch of the "1st Generation Surgery-assisted Cooperative Robot" following its medical device approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in February 2024.

 

The "2nd Generation Laparoscopic Surgery-assisted Cooperative Robot," used in this cadaver-based preclinical trial for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, features significant improvements over the 1st generation model. The robot's arm size has been dramatically reduced, effectively eliminating interference issues between medical staff and the robot arm. Additionally, the joystick has been upgraded from a wired to a wireless system.

 

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure in which a 10mm endoscopic camera is inserted into the abdominal cavity through the navel to observe the interior, while the gallbladder is removed using surgical instruments. Typically, three to four trocars are inserted into the abdominal cavity to facilitate the entry and exit of surgical tools, allowing the procedure to be conducted with real-time visualization through a video system.

 

The surgical assistant robot 'Eroptix' not only eliminates the need for 2 to 3 surgical assistants holding an endoscopic camera for extended periods but also enables more precise execution of various minimally invasive surgeries, including laparoscopic procedures. This advancement helps patients recover more quickly and helps medical professionals achieve better surgical outcomes.

 

Additionally, the robot can withstand a load of up to 3 kg and is equipped with torque sensors on six axes, allowing for precise control. It simulates the optimal positioning for each type of surgery, thereby optimizing the surgical workflow.

 

Erop plans to continue its close collaboration with Rainbow Robotics to apply advanced solutions to the '2nd Generation Laparoscopic Surgery-assisted Cooperative Robot.' These solutions include real-time tracking of surgical instruments and automatic adjustment of the robot arm based on the surgeon's voice commands, further enhancing its effectiveness in the surgical environments. The company aims to submit an application for medical device approval to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety by the end of the year.

 

Professor Jun Suh Lee, a surgeon at the Catholic University of Korea Incheon St. Mary's Hospital who led the cadaver-based preclinical trial, stated, 'The reduction in robot size compared to the 1st generation has made it much easier to use in surgeries, significantly expanding its potential for use in surgical settings.' He added, 'I believe it will be highly effective not only for gallbladder surgery but also for high-complexity procedures such as colorectal and gastric cancer surgeries. With its advantages in improving surgical precision and reducing operation time, we expect it will positively impact patients' recovery rates.

 

Meanwhile, Erop, a specialized manufacturer of surgical medical devices founded in 2018, obtained GMP certification from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2019. The company delivered its first self-produced products to hospitals in 2020, and in 2023, it relocated its headquarters to the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medivalley, further accelerating its product development efforts.

 

According to a report by the global market research firm Market and Markets, the size of the robotic surgery industry is projected to grow from $11.1 billion (approximately 15.58 trillion KRW) in 2024 to $23.7 billion (approximately 33.26 trillion KRW) by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.5%. The rapid growth of the market is being driven by the increasing demand for minimally invasive treatments using robots. While North America and Europe remain the major markets, the Asia-Pacific region (China, Japan, and South Korea) is experiencing the fastest growth, driven by improvements in medical infrastructure and a high level of technology adoption.

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