Smith & Nephew and Imperial College launch surgical robotics venture

Smith & Nephew PLC and Imperial College London on Tuesday announced the launch of a centre to accelerate innovation in surgical robotics.

Watford, England-based Smith & Nephew said the five-year partnership will focus on to delivering "breakthrough research and innovation" for robotic surgery for musculoskeletal conditions.

The medical equipment manufacturing company will bring its engineers into partnership with Imperial College's academic laboratory to bring fields such as computer vision and sensing into advanced techniques in robotic surgery.

The techniques will be designed to make robotic surgery "less invasive and more intuitive and usable by more than just the specialist centres, leading to better outcomes for patients," it said in a statement.

"By embedding industry experts within one of the world's leading engineering schools, this centre has the potential to move research into operating theatres at pace, transforming patient outcomes and enhancing the surgical experience," said Vasant Padmanabhan, president of Research & Development, ENT and Emerging Markets at Smith & Nephew.

Shares in Smith & Nephew were up 0.5% at 1,093.50 pence each in London on Tuesday morning.

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