Freehand partners with Imperial Medical Solutions to introduce surgical robots in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and the Caribbean

Freehand, a UK-based medical technology company, today announced a partnership with Imperial Medical Solutions (IMS), a clinician-led healthcare consultancy, to support the adoption of its surgical robots by hospitals in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and the Caribbean.

Freehand, whose robots support safer and more efficient keyhole procedures by providing rock-steady images to surgeons and removing the need for camera-holding assistants in theatre, will work with IMS to introduce its technology to several international healthcare markets in conjunction with local distributors.

IMS is leveraging its extensive clinical experience and international network to drive healthcare digitisation in developing markets. It is already working with Freehand and a prestigious University in the Caribbean to roll-out Freehand’s surgical robots in hospitals and healthcare institutions.

Professor Tan Arulampalam MD FRCS, CEO at Imperial Medical Solutions, said: “As a practicing surgeon and CEO of IMS I am delighted to be working in partnership with Freehand. The robotic camera holder has been evaluated by my team and we have published in the peer reviewed literature on just how easy it is to train surgeons to use this technology and how helpful it is to the surgeon as well as the healthcare provider in terms of rock solid image and freeing up staff for other duties. The Freehand experience allows robotic surgery to enter any operating room and begin the important journey into the surgical digital ecosystem that we all want to travel. There are benefits for the surgeon in terms of cognitive well being as well as great value for healthcare systems.”

Jeremy Russell, CEO at Freehand, added: “Freehand and IMS share a strong belief in helping healthcare systems around the world adopt new technologies that improve patient outcomes. This partnership with a team of incredibly well-connected clinical experts will help accelerate our international expansion plans and ensure that the benefits of Freehand are felt around the world.”

Freehand’s robots have been used in more than 15,000 laparoscopic and thoracoscopic procedures to date, at hospitals including The Royal London Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital and Royal Papworth Hospital. Studies show that Freehand-assisted surgeries can be up to 20 per cent faster than conventional keyhole procedures, and can result in fewer, less-serious postoperative complications, reduce hospital stays by 25 per cent and require fewer post-surgical hospital visits.