The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance for Levita Magnetics’ Magnetic Surgical System (MSS) in combination with the MARS system for use in minimally invasive bariatric and hiatal hernia repair procedures.
This decision enables Levita Magnetics to broaden its support for surgeons handling obesity-related conditions by offering a less invasive surgical option that facilitates simultaneous hiatal hernia correction during bariatric operations.
Levita Magnetics, headquartered in Silicon Valley, specialises in minimally invasive surgical platforms that utilise magnetic technology to enhance precision and reduce invasiveness. The company’s MARS system is designed to improve surgical control and visibility while minimising the trauma associated with traditional surgery methods.
The FDA’s clearance allows medical professionals to employ the MARS system’s Dynamic Magnetic Positioning technology to retract the liver, thereby increasing visibility and accessibility during hiatal hernia repairs. This approval offers an alternative for abdominal surgery, promoting wider adoption of the technology within hospitals and ambulatory surgical centres across the US.
Levita Magnetics founder and CEO Alberto Rodriguez-Navarro said: “This milestone reinforces our commitment to expanding access to better surgery.
“We’re building a future where less invasive means more effective.”
In addition, Levita Magnetics has introduced a new 12.5mm magnetic grasper, engineered to enhance visualisation and control, especially beneficial for patients with high BMI or challenging liver conditions. This device enables surgeons to grasp the liver centrally rather than from the edge, thereby improving access in both hernia and bariatric surgeries.
The MARS platform distinguishes itself from other robotic systems by utilising proprietary magnetic technology to reposition organs internally. This is said to help reduce the number of incisions required, minimise tissue trauma, and enhance patient recovery, all while maintaining precision and control during operations.
Given that hiatal hernia repair is a common procedure often performed alongside bariatric surgery in patients with obesity-related conditions, Levita Magnetics’ newly approved indication facilitates improved access and visualisation through magnetic retraction and an updated toolset.
