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Medical Innovation

Intuitive Wins CE Mark for da Vinci SP Vaginal Surgery Use

Intuitive Wins CE Mark for da Vinci SP Vaginal Surgery Use

Aubonne – September 16, 2026 -- Intuitive has secured CE mark approval for its da Vinci SP surgical system to perform transvaginal gynecologic procedures, marking the first such indication for the Single Port platform anywhere in the world.

Approval widens da Vinci SP's European surgical scope beyond five existing categories

The new indication adds to da Vinci SP's current CE-marked applications in Europe, which cover endoscopic abdominopelvic, thoracoscopic, transoral otolaryngology, transanal colorectal, and breast procedures. The system now supports natural orifice surgery across transoral, transanal, and transvaginal routes.

Nicklaus Children's Performs Rare Catheter-Based Fontan Procedure on Toddler

Nicklaus Children's Performs Rare Catheter-Based Fontan Procedure on Toddler

Miami – September 15, 2026 -- Nicklaus Children's Hospital Heart Institute has completed one of the first transcatheter-based Fontan procedures performed in the United States, allowing a 2-year-old patient with double-outlet right ventricle to avoid an additional open-heart surgery. The child, born with a complex congenital heart defect, is recovering at home following the procedure.

Catheter-based technique replaces traditional open-heart surgery for Fontan completion

The care team used a catheter-based approach, guiding specialized equipment through a blood vessel to complete the child's Fontan circulation rather than performing conventional open-heart surgery. The Fontan procedure is typically the final stage in a multi-step surgical series for children born with single-ventricle heart defects, rerouting oxygen-poor blood from the body directly to the lungs without passing through a pumping chamber.