Medtronic unveiled a collaboration Tuesday to integrate its technologies at IRCAD North America, a non-profit subsidiary of Atrium Health focused on surgical education, research and innovation.
Founded in Strasbourg, France, in 1994, IRCAD now has centers around the world that offer hands-on training in minimally invasive surgery.
Medtronic said it will be a strategic partner in IRCAD’s new North American location, which is planned to open in September in Charlotte, North Carolina. The device maker’s medical education teams will spearhead course development for use of Medtronic products in cardiovascular, neuroscience and minimally invasive surgical specialties, the company said.
IRCAD North America is expected to draw thousands of surgeons and specialists each year, according to the announcement.
Medtronic technologies that will be available include the Hugo robotic-assisted soft-tissue surgery system, AiBLE for spine and cranial procedures, the artificial intelligence-supported Touch Surgery system and the Affera mapping system used in cardiac ablation procedures.
Hugo and the surgical business
The training initiative comes as Medtronic prepares to launch its Hugo robot in the U.S., where the expansion of robotic-assisted surgery, driven by market leader Intuitive Surgical, has put pressure on sales of traditional surgical instruments.
Medtronic filed for a U.S. indication for Hugo in urology in the first quarter of this year. The system is already sold in more than 25 countries.
Medtronic expects Hugo’s U.S. arrival to help growth rebound in the company’s surgical business.
CEO Geoff Martha, at an investor event in May, said Medtronic expects Hugo to have an impact on its surgical business in fiscal year 2026, “and then FY ‘27, you’ll feel it at the Medtronic level.”
