Johnson & Johnson's robotic surgery device gets US FDA marketing authorization

Johnson & Johnson said on Wednesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ‌had granted marketing ⁠authorization ⁠for its robotic surgery device, clearing the way for the healthcare conglomerate to enter the soft-tissue robotic surgery ⁠market.

The Ottava ‌robotic surgical system was authorized for ⁠use in multiple general surgery procedures in the upper abdomen, including gastric bypass, gastrectomy, gallbladder removal, gastric sleeve surgery, appendectomy and hiatal ‌hernia repair.

J&J said it would ​begin a ​U.S. ⁠commercial launch with select customers, while working to expand the ​system into additional indications and regulatory markets.