02/28/2017
For the first time, FlexDex was used in minimally invasive procedures at Michigan Medicine
In an era of spiraling healthcare cost concerns, a new $500 surgical instrument developed at the University of Michigan is vying to take the place of a $2 million robot for certain minimally invasive procedures.
Co-founded by Professor Shorya Awtar, U-M ME startup FlexDex Surgical’s first product—a simple, ergonomic and intuitive “needle driver” for stitching inside the body—has been used for the first time in a series of operations. FlexDex has begun shipping its product throughout the US.
FlexDex in the news:
- Michigan Engineering – New low-cost surgical instrument moves like a surgeon’s hand
- Featured on NSF homepage – A low-cost mechanical device for minimally invasive surgery
- MIT Technology Review – For Hospitals That Can’t Afford a Surgical Robot, This $500 Device Could Fit the Bill
- Huffington Post – The $500 Robotic Surgeon
- NBC News – This $500 Mechanical Arm Could Bring Precision Surgery to the Masses
