GALWAY, Ireland, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Medtronic, a global leader in healthcare technology, today announced a strategic partnership with Cornerstone Robotics, an innovative surgical robotics company committed to advancing minimally invasive surgery and improving access to the latest surgical care worldwide. The approximately $700 million investment includes rights to distribute Cornerstone Robotics' Sentire surgical system in select markets outside the U.S. where the system is market approved.
Medtronic will distribute Sentire alongside its Hugo robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system. Together with Medtronic's connected surgical ecosystem, the two complementary platforms will expand access to robotic-assisted surgery and offer surgeons and health systems more choice and flexible solutions designed to meet their diverse needs and reach more patients globally.
With global adoption of robotic-assisted surgery still in the single digits, the opportunity to expand access to advanced surgical care for patients, physicians and health systems around the world is significant. Through this partnership, Medtronic and Cornerstone Robotics are building a multi-port portfolio anchored by the Hugo RAS system and expanded by Sentire, giving customers meaningful flexibility across clinical settings, procedural needs, and economic models.
"Our strategy is focused on driving the next generation of minimally invasive surgery, one of our biggest growth opportunities," said Matt Anderson, senior vice president and president, Surgical, Medtronic. "With Sentire complementing the Hugo RAS system, Medtronic will be the only company offering this two-platform portfolio combined with our surgical ecosystem—giving customers more access, more choice, and flexible solutions that fit their clinical and operational needs."
The partnership builds on the momentum of Medtronic's Hugo RAS system, which is now being used in more than 35 countries across six continents, including the United States, where it received FDA clearance within the last year. Procedure growth for the Hugo RAS system is currently more than two times the growth rate of the robotic surgery market, and total procedures are expected to exceed 50,000 globally by the end of Medtronic's fiscal year.
The Sentire system's architecture and immersive console with dual-console capability offer a familiar configuration suited to varying surgeon preferences and clinical needs. Developed entirely in-house by Cornerstone Robotics, Sentire has completed multi-specialty clinical trials and received CE Mark in May 2026 for use in minimally invasive general, gynecologic, thoracic, and urologic surgical procedures in addition to its market approval in China and Singapore.
"Since the founding of Cornerstone Robotics, we have been steadfast in our commitment to innovation, excellence and clinical value," said Samuel Au, founder and CEO, Cornerstone Robotics. "We are confident physicians and patients alike will be the greatest beneficiaries of this partnership as we continue to expand access across this dynamic market."
About Cornerstone Robotics: An innovative surgical robotics company with three global R&D hubs and six business centers worldwide, and a 30,000-square-meter manufacturing facility in China. Developed entirely in-house, the Sentire Surgical System has received market approval across China, the European Union and Singapore. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Medtronic.
