First-generation surgical robots are often large, heavy, and permanently installed in a fixed location. Their implementation typically requires specially adapted infrastructure and involves significant investment and installation costs. Valuebiotech fundamentally questioned this approach and developed a robotic platform intentionally designed for compactness, mobility, and flexibility. The result is a system that is smaller and lighter than conventional solutions and can be easily transported between different operating rooms.
The modular robotic platform can be seamlessly integrated into existing OR environments without requiring structural modifications or special infrastructure. For hospitals, this means lower investment costs and shorter setup times. At the same time, increased system availability enables more frequent and flexible use of robot-assisted procedures. Surgeons benefit from a user-friendly system that integrates intuitively into clinical workflows and efficiently supports surgical interventions. For patients, this translates into broader access to robot-assisted, minimally invasive surgery – a central element of Valuebiotech’s mission to make advanced surgical robotics more accessible to both healthcare professionals and patients.
M.I.L.A.N.O. – One platform for many surgical approaches
The robotic platform is named M.I.L.A.N.O., an acronym for “Minimally Invasive Light Automatic Natural Orifice.” The name reflects both its focus on minimally invasive procedures and the modularity of the system. A defining characteristic of the platform is its patented configurability, enabling a holistic concept: A single platform can thereby be flexibly adapted to different surgical requirements and procedures.
M.I.L.A.N.O. was developed based on the extensive clinical experience of its founder, Antonello Forgione. As a surgeon and pioneer in minimally invasive surgery, he brings more than 25 years of expertise in laparoscopic, endoscopic, and robot-assisted procedures. A key objective in the platform’s design was to overcome the practical limitations confronting surgeons in their daily work with existing robotic systems. The primary goals were to reduce system complexity and weight while expanding surgical application possibilities.
Bringing humans and machines closer together again
Alongside technological advances, the interaction between surgeon and machine has also evolved in recent years. Conventional robotic systems are often designed so that the surgeon operates from a console away from the operating table. However, a countertrend is gaining momentum. Under terms such as “hybrid laparoscopy” or “roboscopic surgery,” this approach aims to keep the surgeon at the operating table while leveraging the strengths of robotics – such as stable and precise camera guidance.
This concept allows clinical teams to select the optimal surgical technique based on the patient’s needs rather than adapting to the technical limitations of a system. In this way, access to robot-assisted surgery can be extended to a broader patient population. The M.I.L.A.N.O. Robotic Platform fully supports this development and is designed to handle key tasks in minimally invasive procedures, including stable camera control and precise positioning of surgical instruments across various clinical configurations.
Precision drive technology as a key component
The used drive systems play a central role within the compact and modular architecture of M.I.L.A.N.O. FAULHABER flat motors from the BXT series, combined with the IEF3 incremental encoder and the motion controller of the MC3001B series, actuate all degrees of freedom of the robotic instruments and enable precise, smooth, and repeatable motion control. These characteristics are essential to ensuring the required accuracy and reliability in a surgical environment.
The decision to use FAULHABER drive systems was based on their proven performance and robustness in demanding applications. In particular, the combination of high precision, compact design, and long-term reliability was decisive. On the one hand, the desired system compactness had to be achieved. On the other, all components needed to meet the stringent quality and lifecycle requirements applicable to medical devices. These include compliance with the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) as well as relevant standards such as ISO 13485 and ISO 14971, in addition to FDA-specific requirements.
From a clinical perspective, the platform had to ensure reliable and predictable performance while supporting the necessary verification and validation processes to demonstrate performance and patient safety. The close alignment between system architecture, drive technology, and regulatory requirements therefore forms a critical foundation for successful clinical use.
Looking ahead: The future of robot-assisted surgery
Robot-assisted surgery is increasingly evolving toward greater modularity, growing specialization, and closer integration between surgeons and technology. The rising acceptance of platforms that support multiple surgical approaches highlights the limitations of rigid systems. These developments reinforce Valuebiotech’s roadmap, which consistently focuses on structural innovation, configurability, and genuine clinical adaptability – setting new standards for the next generation of surgical robotics.
Products
