What is the future of medical robots and the image of engineers required for development? -Listen to the cutting edge of medical tech-fabcross for engineers

Asahi Surgical Robotics Co., Ltd. President and CEO Takehiro Ando

In this series, we interviewed Mr. Takehiro Ando, ​​President of Asahi Surgical Robotics Co., Ltd., which focuses on medical tech and works on the development and commercialization of domestic surgery support robots.

The first issue was about the outline of medical robots as "medical robots that support doctors in clinical settings", and the second issue was about "industrial robots and medical robots, what is the difference?". In the final episode, we will introduce the future of medical robots and the skills required as engineers involved in medical robot development. (Written by Goto Galaxy, Photo / Image courtesy of Asahi Surgical Robotics Co., Ltd.)

Asahi Surgical Robotics Co., Ltd. President and CEO Takehiro Ando 2012 Completed Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo 2012 Assistant Professor, Medical Precision Engineering Laboratory, A-Traction Co., Ltd. Founded 2021 Asahi Completion of acquisition by Intec Co., Ltd., company name changed to Asahi Surgical Robotics Co., Ltd.

The entry of other companies is accelerating due to the expiration of patents

In the medical robot market, I heard that the pioneer Intuitive Surgical "Da Vinci" is one of the strongest. Please tell us about future market trends.

[Mr. Ando] Da Vinci, which has been continuously developed for 30 years, holds various fields with strong patents, and as a result, it monopolizes the market and creates a situation where there is no other choice. However, as early patents began to expire, the development of medical robots such as the Da Vinci system began around the world in the last five years or so.

As with all medical devices, medical robots have very high hurdles for commercialization compared to home appliances, such as having to pass strict standards regarding safety and obtain certification. However, the situation will change in the future as companies that develop robots that compete with Da Vinci are also entering the market. The market for medical robots is expected to expand further as options other than Da Vinci emerge.

Last time, I said that Da Vinci type robots are not automatic robots but "fully operated type", but in the not too distant future, robots equipped with AI and operating autonomously to some extent will appear in the medical field as well. Will do. Each human body is different, and there are no labels or landmarks, but the structure is not completely different. I think that automation of medical robots is not impossible if the characteristics are well captured and tagged.

――How much does it cost to introduce a medical robot?

[Mr. Ando] It is only a rough estimate, but it is said that the introduction of Da Vinci is 200 to 300 million yen. Even if you use a medical robot for surgery, there is no particular addition, so the cost will be taken out of the hospital. Even so, I think the reason why the introduction is expanding is that there are certain merits.

In the case of our robot, the introduction cost is expected to be about 30 to 50 million yen. Of course, since the function is different from Da Vinci, it is not possible to make a simple comparison, but taking advantage of the characteristics of a venture company with a small turn, it is not a large hospital that has already introduced Da Vinci, but a certain amount of laparoscopic surgery is performed, but a little manpower is sufficient. We are targeting medium-sized hospitals that do not have surgery.

We decided to do a medical robot, but it is difficult to grasp the difficulty of technical and monetization, from the estimation of the cost and period required for development to the schedule for commercialization, and the most important point. was.

--By using your robot, doctors can reduce labor costs equivalent to assistants, or even if there is a shortage of assistants to participate in surgery, it is a merit that surgery can be performed. It was decided that it would be a selling point. Now, the next question is, it is said that there are "Magical River" and "Death Valley (mass production wall)" as barriers that manufacturing ventures face as they move from the development phase to the mass production phase. I heard that most engineers are hired mid-career at your company, but please tell us about the particular difficulties in the process of developing and manufacturing medical robots.

[Mr. Ando] I myself am from academia and have no experience in manufacturing anything, so I felt that members with manufacturing experience were indispensable, especially in terms of making products. In addition, since there is almost no element of robotics in the framework of medical equipment, an engineer who has experience in robot development is absolutely necessary to do robotics.

However, it is important to remember that there is a difference between major manufacturing companies and venture companies. We may be doing mechatronics, but in general, the manufacturing industry often has a division of labor. Mecha is accustomed to the system of only mecha, and only this part of mecha, but in a small venture company that has to do various things, if you stick to such a method too much, it will be difficult to assign work and it will be adopted. I find it difficult.

Ventures require engineers who can see the overall balance

[Mr. Ando] In places that are close to research and development and that are doing mechatronics, engineers who can speak out to some extent in specialized fields plus peripheral fields and move so that the overall balance can be achieved are their own technical capabilities. I think that it will be possible to increase. Also, in the field of medical robots, it is important to have an awareness that not only knowledge as an engineer but also medical knowledge and knowledge about pharmaceutical affairs will be absorbed by one's own efforts.

--Thank you very much. Finally, could you give us a message about what you are trying to do as an engineer and to your junior engineers?

[Mr. Ando] My basis is to do what I find fun. The important thing is to find out what you can do that you want to do, no matter what else. I think that is the most important factor in motivating me and improving my skills and knowledge.

I was researching medical devices at a university, but even if I presented my research at an academic conference, I could not clearly answer the question "when will clinical practice be?" From doctors working in the field. I felt frustrated. In my case, my strong desire to support this medical field is my motivation for starting a business.

If you are enrolled in a venture and aim to develop a medical robot as an engineer there, actively study not only your specialty but also medical knowledge and pharmaceutical affairs, and keep an eye on the development area. It is required to work closely with and balance the entire development. I think that will improve my skills as an engineer and, as a result, increase my added value.

Coverage cooperation

Asahi Surgical Robotics Co., Ltd.

Writer Profile Goto Galaxy A writer and editor who loves the galaxy of American Shorthair (♂). Taking advantage of his engineer's background, he is struggling every day to write easy-to-understand sentences, mainly domestic and foreign news articles.