US-based surgical solutions provider LivsMed has launched STARK, its first robotic system designed for telesurgery, after completing a feasibility study.
The robotic surgery system aims to make advanced remote robotic surgery accessible and affordable hospitals and patients worldwide.
In partnership with Sovato, LivsMed conducted a feasibility study spanning 2,000 miles (3218km) between Santa Barbara, California, and Chicago, Illinois.
The study highlighted the STARK robotic system and Sovato’s remote surgery platform.
LivsMed CEO Jung Joo Lee said: “Democratising robotic surgery isn’t just about technology. It’s about making it affordable, accessible, and practical for every hospital and every patient, no matter where they are.
“With STARK, we are not only challenging the status quo but also building the foundation for a future where advanced surgical care is truly within reach for all.”
LivsMed’s ArtiSential line offers the dexterity of robotic surgery at a reduced cost.
The STARK system builds on its ArtiSential technology, providing 90° articulation and a compact design suitable for facilities with limited space.
LivsMed’s approach integrates a reliable network, trained personnel, and suitable equipment, focusing on affordability to democratise robotic surgery.
The demonstration showcased STARK’s remote capabilities, with surgical procedures conducted from Santa Barbara while the robot operated in Chicago.
Sovato CEO and co-founder Cynthia Perazzo said: “LivsMed shares our vision to make remote surgery widely accessible and economically sustainable.
“Our July demonstration showcased the power of combining LivsMed’s telesurgery-native STARK robotic system with Sovato’s full platform capabilities—delivering a seamless surgeon experience that inspires confidence and trust at any distance.”
The study involved surgeons Yuman Fong, Yanghee Woo, and Max Hazeltine from City of Hope, a top-ranked cancer care hospital.
They performed procedures such as cholecystectomy and partial liver resection on a porcine model, contributing to evidence supporting the safety and scalability of telesurgery.
City of Hope department of surgery chair and Clinical Robotic Surgery Association president professor Yuman Fong said: “We performed remote robotic surgery from Santa Barbara to Chicago – about 2,000 miles apart, a reasonable distance to test important remote surgery workflows.
“The architecture is different than many of the other architectures on the market; yet, adopting it was seamless. The control felt natural. The response rate was good – even at that distance. I felt like I was working with an old friend, immediately.”
Dr. Woo said: “The ease of adaptation with STARK and its capabilities immediately impressed me, especially when I realised the needle could articulate beyond my expectations.
“Usually, it’s a bit of a struggle to find the correct angle for continuous suturing of a bowel anastomosis, but during the procedure, every stitch went exactly where I wanted – without a lot of effort on my part.”
