Medtronic has been included in the FORTUNE 2026 Change the World list for its Touch Surgery™ ecosystem and the Healthy Neighbor initiative operated through Medtronic LABS. The annual recognition highlights companies developing solutions aimed at addressing major social and environmental challenges.

The recognition reflects Medtronic's efforts to use technology and innovative healthcare models to improve patient outcomes, both inside operating rooms and in communities with limited access to care.

Touch Surgery Brings AI Into the Surgical Environment
Medtronic's Touch Surgery ecosystem uses artificial intelligence to analyze surgical procedures and supports livestreaming for remote collaboration, allowing medical professionals to review procedures and refine surgical techniques.

The platform connects multiple stages of the surgical process, including preparation, education, training and collaboration during procedures. Touch Surgery is currently used by thousands of surgeons across more than 30 countries.

In July 2026, Medtronic introduced Touch Surgery Aide, a next-generation computing platform designed for operating rooms. The system expands the Touch Surgery ecosystem with real-time, AI-driven assistance, giving surgeons access to actionable information during robotic and laparoscopic procedures. It also enables surgical teams to review cases and use those insights to improve future decision-making.

“Our vision is to make the best surgery available to more people, regardless of where they live,” said Matt Anderson, senior vice president and president of Medtronic's Surgical business. “The Touch Surgery™ ecosystem enables surgeons to deliver upon intelligence and perform procedures with greater consistency and confidence, helping to advance Medtronic’s commitment to expand access to the best possible care around the world.”

Healthy Neighbor Targets Health Inequities in Camden
Through Medtronic LABS, Medtronic is also addressing healthcare disparities through its Healthy Neighbor program, developed in partnership with Virtua Health in Camden, New Jersey.

Camden, located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, experiences substantial health disparities. Residents have a life expectancy that is nearly 16 years shorter than people living in neighborhoods only about 6.5 miles away. The community also reports significantly higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure compared with nearby areas.

Virtua Health partnered with Medtronic LABS, a nonprofit supported by Medtronic, to provide in-home assistance to people living with high blood pressure and/or type 2 diabetes. Community health workers visit patients at home and help coordinate their ongoing care.

The workers use a digital health platform to record basic health information, monitor blood pressure and blood glucose levels over time, and identify elevated readings that may require additional attention.

After two years, data from more than 250 participating patients showed:

Combining Healthcare Technology With New Care Models
Ruchika Singhal, president of Medtronic LABS, said the recognition reflects the company's focus on putting patients at the center of its work and creating measurable improvements in healthcare.

“Being recognized is not just an honor, but an affirmation that our work at Medtronic to put patients first in every aspect of the business is making a meaningful impact,” said Singhal. “True innovation in healthcare should be comprehensive – from developing the technology itself to rethinking delivery models – and should improve health outcomes no matter your ZIP code or income.”

James Choate-Deeds and his wife, Caryn, clasped hands as they waited for the diagnosis, bracing themselves for what was to come.

“Hearing the words ‘you have cancer’ hits you like a punch to the stomach,” James recalled. “Caryn squeezed my hand, and we both broke down. But after that moment passes, your mindset shifts completely to figuring out the next steps.”

At just 57 years old, James was diagnosed with prostate cancer—nearly a decade younger than the typical age of diagnosis. He had always led an active, athletic lifestyle and had no family history of the disease, making the news especially unexpected. Despite the shock, James quickly recognized there were positive factors on his side.

“The cancer was detected early, and it wasn’t aggressive,” he explained. “That gave me time to research my options and choose the right treatment. That’s when I discovered Hugo.”

A new era of robotic-assisted surgery
Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) represents a modern, minimally invasive approach that has become increasingly common over the past 20 years. For procedures like prostate removal, it is often favored over traditional surgery due to benefits such as increased precision, reduced trauma, and improved recovery outcomes.

The Hugo Robotic-Assisted Surgery system is Medtronic’s first robot designed for soft-tissue procedures and recently received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for urologic surgeries, including prostatectomy. When James underwent surgery, the Hugo™ system was still part of clinical research.

“As an architect, I appreciate the value of innovative tools,” James said. “When my surgeon explained that Hugo represented the next generation of surgical technology and believed it was the best option available, that convinced me.”

How the Hugo system operates
The Hugo™ RAS system uses four independent robotic arms that mirror the movements of a surgeon’s hands. Each arm can hold specialized instruments or a camera and can be positioned flexibly around the operating table to meet the specific needs of each patient.

The surgeon operates from an open console, wearing 3D glasses and viewing the procedure on a large, high-definition display. Using hand and foot controls, the surgeon directs the robotic arms with extreme accuracy.

“While it’s visually guided, it’s far from a video game,” said Dr. James Porter, urologic surgeon and Chief Medical Officer for Robotic Surgical Technologies and Digital Technologies at Medtronic.

“Your hands, feet, and eyes work together. The robotic joints replicate natural human motion but with far greater stability, allowing for exceptional precision—especially during suturing.”

Dr. Porter performed James’ procedure and has completed nearly 6,000 robotic-assisted surgeries over his career. He also spent five years advising Medtronic engineers during the development of the Hugo system and highlights several key advantages:

“These features are all designed to help surgeons provide the highest level of care,” Dr. Porter said. “At the end of the day, it’s about improving patients’ lives.”

Shaping the future of surgery
Despite advances in technology, nearly 90% of surgeries worldwide are still performed without robotic assistance, and approximately 60% remain open procedures. This limits patient access to the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, such as fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.

The Hugo™ RAS system is currently FDA-cleared in the U.S. for urologic procedures, with plans to pursue approvals for additional uses, including general and gynecologic surgery. Internationally, the system is already approved for multiple indications in more than 30 countries.

“The precision offered by robotic-assisted surgery delivers tremendous value to patients,” said Rajit Kamal, Vice President and General Manager of Robotic Surgical Technologies at Medtronic. “Robotics and digital innovation are redefining what’s possible in surgery—moving toward procedures that are more accurate, consistent, and tailored to each individual.”

Dr. Porter believes the next major leap will come from combining robotic systems with advanced software and artificial intelligence.

“In the future, surgeons could access real-time 3D organ models during procedures,” he explained. “AI could provide insights like optimal instrument angles while operating. That level of guidance could be transformative for both surgeons and patients—and it’s exactly what our digital teams are working toward.”

That vision drew Dr. Porter to Medtronic, but for now, he continues caring for patients like James.

Life after surgery
Two and a half years later, James remains as active as ever—hiking, skiing, playing hockey, traveling frequently, and continuing his architectural career.

“I’m rarely sitting still,” he joked. “Thanks to an incredible surgical team and the Hugo system, the surgery and recovery were remarkably smooth. Life feels amazing, and I’m deeply thankful for the technology that helped make that possible.”