Surgery has always been one of the most prestigious and at the same time challenging fields in medicine. It requires top-level training, executive precision and strong emotional pressure. Not surprisingly, surgeons are among the highest-paid and most respected doctors in the hospital environment, holding significant power within healthcare organizations. Their influence also extends to the decision to purchase new equipment, considering the importance of their work. It is not surprising, therefore, that technological innovations are radically revolutionizing surgical procedures, introducing advanced and expensive solutions that improve the effectiveness and safety of operations. In this scenario, surgery continues to represent a highly specialized and crucial field of modern medicine.
Robotic Surgery Actions (Robotic Surgery)
In recent years, surgery has been enriched by highly technological tools that have revolutionized medical practice. Thanks to laparoscopic devices, surgeons have obtained a direct view of the internal organs through an extremely small entrance cutoff. In addition, the possibility of using advanced cauterization tools and sutures has made it possible to significantly improve the effectiveness of the interventions. However, advances in the fields of electronics and robotics have made it possible to take surgery to a whole new level
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Now the interventions can be performed by a robotic arm, which, under the surgeon’s control, significantly increases the precision of the operations and reduces trauma during the post-operative period. Robotic surgery has become an essential tool for better and faster patient care. Thanks to these technologies, it is possible to perform surgeries remotely, allowing specialists to work even from another city or country
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The robotic surgery market reached a value of 4.4 billion dollars in 2022, with a forecast of growth of 18% CAGR until 2030, when its market should reach a value of 18.2 billion dollars. This technological innovation offers doctors and patients an ever better future, with the prospect of minimizing post-surgical complications and obtaining early mobilization with a rapid return
to normal life.
The best of 2023
Medtronic plc (MDT) is a leader in the medical device industry, with a strong focus on surgery and intensive care. While other segments could be considered under its umbrella, Medtronic’s medical-surgical segment represents $2.1 billion in revenues out of a total of $7.7 billion. The company has grown both through organic growth, with a significant percentage of the budget allocated to research and development ($2.7 billion in 2022), and through acquisitions (9 in 2022 and an additional $3.3 billion in acquisitions
scheduled for 2023).
Medtronic sees an enormous opportunity for easier and cheaper robotic surgery, stating that only 2% of surgeries worldwide are currently assisted by robots. With its Hugo system, the company aims to conquer a significant share of the emerging robotic surgery market, both through internal development and through acquisitions
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Likewise, Stryker Corporation (SYK), another industry leader, invests heavily in innovation, allocating 1.45 billion dollars in research and development in 2022, and has grown at a rate of 7.2% per year since 2019. With its strong focus on endoscopy and orthopedic surgery, Stryker is poised to become a leader in the robotic surgery segment, which is rapidly growing
due to demographic changes.
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG), a pioneer in the robotic surgery segment, continues to be at the cutting edge with its Da Vinci platform, which remains the most powerful, popular and expensive system on the market. The company recorded strong growth in revenues, with an installed base growing at an annual rate of 12% and an increase in procedures of 26% per
year.
Finally, Globus Medical, Inc. (GMED) specializes in musculoskeletal disorders, including spinal disorders and joint injuries, with its Excelsius robot that has performed 30,000 cases since 2017. The company merges with NuVasive to strengthen its position in the spinal medical treatments market
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Investors should pay close attention to the growth of these companies, taking into account their high valuations that reflect both their quality and the market’s enthusiasm for their stocks. While not as large or diversified as some of its competitors, Globus is starting to dominate the spinal/musculoskeletal surgery niche, and the merger with NuVasive will likely reinforce that trend. Overall, the sector is poised for significant growth, presenting exciting opportunities for investors looking to capitalize on the ongoing technological advancements in
the sector.