Virtual Incision Raises Funds for Prototype in Vivo Robots

Virtual Incision is a company which develops in vivo robots for use in single incision laparoscopic surgery. The Lincoln, Nebraska based firm was formed by two University of Nebraska professors Dr. Shane Farritor and Dr. Dmitry Oleynikov.

The company has raised $2 million in venture capital financing to develop prototypes of its technology. The main financers of the capital raised are PrairieGold Venture Partners and Bluestem Capital.

The company is employing Honeybee Robotics and Devicix to help manufacture the vivo robots that are used for single incision laparoscopic surgery. Virtual Incision has also engaged Peter Hinchliffe who is a medical device senior executive. He has more than 17 years of experience managing multiple business areas in other firms.

The Virtual Incision robots will work with a single incision in the navel. They will not need a dedicated operating room and nor will they need specialized infrastructure. The tools that will be used are already familiar to surgeons today but the platform will be less expensive than other available alternatives.