Medtronic’s Stealth AXiS surgical system has been named to Time’s Best Inventions of 2026 list.
The list highlighted a preoperative planning feature that uses AI to help surgeons design surgeries for patients and a live monitoring tool that allows physicians to see in real time how a patient’s spine is moving during surgery. The system also supports cranial and ear, nose and throat procedures, for which it earned FDA clearance in March.
“Spine surgery isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Michael Carter, president of Medtronic Cranial and Spinal Technologies, told Time.
The honor caps a busy year for the platform. In February, Medtronic earned FDA 510(k) clearance for Stealth AXiS, which brings planning, navigation and robotics into one spine platform. Surgeons began using it in April, when Jeffrey Gum, MD, performed the world’s first case with the robot. By September, it had been used in more than 23 procedures across seven sites in Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
