Senhance® is an advanced robotic surgical system developed by Asensus Surgical, formerly known as TransEnterix, a leading medical device company based in the US. This state-of-the-art system is specifically designed to support hospitals and assist surgeons in performing a wide range of laparoscopic surgical procedures, including general surgery, gynecology, urology, and thoracic surgeries.

One of the key features of the Senhance® system is its ability to enable surgeons to accurately control laparoscopic instruments for visualization and endoscopic tissue handling. This includes tasks such as grasping, cutting, blunt and sharp dissection, all crucial aspects of laparoscopic surgery.

Since its launch in September 2016, the Senhance® surgical system has received significant recognition and regulatory approvals. It obtained the prestigious US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance in October 2017, allowing its use in the United States. The device also holds the European CE Mark approval for both adult and pediatric use and has been made available in countries such as Japan, Russia, and other selected regions.

An additional noteworthy achievement for the Senhance® system is the recent approval of its Intelligent Surgical Unit™ (ISU™) under the CE Mark. This approval, granted in January 2023, encompasses the system's expanded machine vision capabilities, making it the first robotic surgical system to undergo the new European Union (EU) Medical Device Regulation process.

The Senhance® surgical system stands out due to its advanced design and features. It integrates cutting-edge technology to offer robotic precision, tactile sensing, eye-tracking camera control, and improved economics for minimally invasive surgeries. The system incorporates a digital fulcrum that reduces torque at the incision site, while the use of standard 3mm, 5mm, and 10mm fully reusable instruments ensures cost-effectiveness comparable to traditional laparoscopic instruments. The robotic instruments also provide feedback to surgeons by sensing the forces applied during critical tasks like suturing.

The inclusion of tactile sensing enhances a surgeon's ability to perceive applied pressure and tension, providing alerts if pressure reaches a threshold. The innovative eye-tracking camera control feature allows continuous control of the camera using the surgeon's eyes, while the 3DHD visualization provides additional depth and spatial information about organs.

To ensure optimal comfort and ergonomics, the system is equipped with specially designed chairs that enable surgeons to sit comfortably throughout the procedure. Surgeons also have the convenience of a clutch pedal to pause instrument movement and reposition it to a more ergonomic operating position during surgery.

The robotic arms of the Senhance® system are flexible and interchangeable, each capable of independent operation and compatible with any Senhance instrument, including endoscopes. This flexibility allows surgeons to access multiple abdominal quadrants by adjusting camera positions, instruments, and assigning them to the required robotic arm. Surgeons can precisely manipulate the arms during delicate surgeries by selecting the appropriate scale. The eye-tracking camera control feature provides full control of the third robotic arm, further enhancing surgical precision.

The Senhance® system features an open-platform architecture that seamlessly integrates with existing hospital infrastructure in laparoscopy, including 3DHD and HD fluorescence vision systems. The platform offers an open view of the sterile field from the surgeon's open cockpit, facilitating clear communication with the surgical staff and easy access to the patient.

Designed to streamline activities for the surgical staff, the system simplifies arm positioning and instrument exchanges, enabling a quick response when needed. It is powered by the Intelligent Surgical Unit™ (ISU™), which responds to commands and recognizes objects and locations within the surgical field, offering machine vision-driven camera control to the surgeon. This allows surgeons to change the field of view by utilizing the movement of the instruments.

With the recent approval of expanded machine vision capabilities in the ISU™, including 3D measurement, real-time surgical image analytics, digital tagging, and improved camera control, the Senhance® system continues to push the boundaries of surgical technology.

Supported by the Performance-Guided Surgery™ framework, the Senhance® system provides surgeons with augmented intelligence and digital tools, enhancing clinical intelligence and enabling continuous superior performance during surgeries.