UBMD Surgery Clinical Trial with Medtronic's Hugo™ for FDA Approval

Buffalo, NY - UBMD Surgery, a prominent surgical practice affiliated with the University at Buffalo and Kaleida Health, is participating in a groundbreaking clinical trial for Medtronic's robotic-assisted surgery system (RAS), Hugo™. The clinical trial underway, Enable Hernia Repair, is a prospective, multicenter study evaluating the safety and performance of the Hugo™ RAS system in support of the company’s planned submission to the FDA. 

The clinical trial is being conducted at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Buffalo, NY, and is sponsored by the University at Buffalo Research Department. UBMD surgeons Drs. Ajay Panchal, Jeffrey Berndtson, and Alan Posner will perform hernia cases using the Hugo™ RAS system. UBMD’s first two cases within the trial, a groin hernia repair (inguinal) and a belly button hernia repair (umbilical), were successfully performed by Dr. Ajay Panchal.

"Participating in this clinical trial with Medtronic's Hugo™ RAS system is a significant milestone for UBMD Surgery and for the Buffalo medical community," said Dr. Ajay Panchal, Lead Investigator of the trial. “We are excited about the potential benefits this technology can bring.”

Benefits of robotic surgery, including potential cost savings and fostering innovation in surgical techniques, are expected to have a profound impact on future medical practices.

"As part of the UBMD Physicians' Group, UBMD Surgery remains committed to advancing surgical care through cutting-edge technology and rigorous research," said Dr. Steven Schwaitzberg, President of UBMD Surgery. "Our goal is to establish Buffalo as a hub for excellence in robotic surgery, while continuing to uphold our tradition of exceptional patient care and surgical education.”

The Hugo™ RAS system brings the precision, dexterity, ergonomics, and visualization benefits of robotic surgery together in a modular system that provides flexibility and open surgeon console that supports communication among the surgical team.

The Hugo™ RAS system is not cleared or approved in all markets. Regulatory requirements of individual countries and regions will determine approval, clearance, or market availability. In the U.S., the Hugo™ RAS system is an investigational device not for sale.

For more information about Hugo, visit medtronic.com/hugo.