FDA approves ‘groundbreaking’ hands-free robotic system for use with CT procedures

The Food and Drug Administration has granted its approval to what manufacturers claim is a first-of-its-kind new robotic system to be used during CT-guided percutaneous interventional procedures.

Produced by Massachusetts-based XACT Robotics, the tool provides hands-free imaging and navigation to help interventional radiologists steer and place various instruments into their desired targets. Their hope is to bolster accuracy and efficiency while saving imaging practices money in the process.

“We are committed to redefining the way the entire medical community utilizes robotics, beginning with interventional radiologists,” President and Executive Chairman Harel Gadot said in a statement. “Our system’s small footprint and high mobility design will enable care providers to treat a broad range of patient care needs in various clinical sites of service.”  

XACT said it planned to roll out the system at select U.S. radiology centers in the future, and will highlight its technology at RSNA’s annual meeting in Chicago later this year.  

Marty Stempniak

Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic. 

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