James Choate-Deeds and his wife, Caryn, clasped hands as they waited for the results, bracing themselves for what they might hear.
“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, your mindset shifts—you focus entirely on what comes next.”
At 57, James was considered relatively young for a prostate cancer diagnosis, as most men are diagnosed around age 66. He had led an active lifestyle, stayed fit, and had no family history of the disease, making the news especially difficult to absorb. Still, he quickly recognized there were reasons for hope.
“The cancer was caught early, and it wasn’t aggressive,” he explained. “That gave me time to research my options and carefully choose a treatment. That’s when I discovered Hugo.”
Robotic-assisted surgery
Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is a sophisticated form of minimally invasive surgery that has become widely adopted over the past 20 years. It is now a preferred approach for prostate removal due to its advantages over traditional surgical techniques for both patients and surgeons.
The Hugo™ RAS system, Medtronic’s first soft-tissue robotic platform, recently received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for urologic procedures such as prostate surgery. When James underwent his procedure, the system was still being evaluated in clinical trials.
“As an architect, I understand the value of advanced technology,” James said. “When my surgeon explained that Hugo represented the next step forward in surgical innovation and felt it was the best option available, I was confident in that choice.”
How the system works
The Hugo™ RAS system uses four robotic arms designed to mirror the movements of a surgeon’s hands. These arms can hold specialized instruments and a camera, and they can be arranged around the operating table to accommodate each patient’s anatomy. The surgeon operates from an open console, wearing 3D glasses and viewing the procedure on a large, high-definition screen while controlling the robotic arms with precision.
“Although the procedure is guided by visuals, it’s certainly not like playing a video game,” said Dr. James Porter, a urologic surgeon and Chief Medical Officer for Robotic Surgical Technologies and Digital Technologies at Medtronic. “It requires constant coordination between your hands, feet, and eyes. The robotic joints replicate human motion but with far greater stability, allowing for exceptional precision—especially when suturing.”
Dr. Porter, who performed James’ surgery, has completed nearly 6,000 robotic-assisted procedures throughout his career. He also spent five years collaborating with Medtronic’s engineers and researchers during the development of the Hugo™ system. According to Dr. Porter, the platform offers several key advantages:
- Enhanced visualization: Advanced 3D imaging provides greater depth perception during surgery.
- Improved access: The modular design of the robotic arms allows flexible positioning, giving surgeons better reach and potentially expanding access to robotic procedures for more patients.
- Improved ergonomics and communication: Surgeons work from a seated, open console that promotes comfort and allows easier interaction with the surgical team.
“These features are all designed with one goal in mind—helping surgeons provide the highest level of care,” Dr. Porter said. “At the end of the day, it’s about improving patients’ lives.”
The future of surgery
Despite advancements, nearly 90% of surgeries worldwide are still performed without robotic assistance, and about 60% are done as open surgeries. This limits patient access to the benefits of minimally invasive techniques, such as fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times.
Currently, the Hugo™ RAS system is FDA-cleared in the U.S. for urologic procedures. Medtronic plans to seek approval for additional uses, including general and gynecologic surgery, aligning with indications already approved in more than 30 countries.
“The precision offered by robotic-assisted surgery delivers tremendous benefits to patients,” said Rajit Kamal, vice president and general manager of Robotic Surgical Technologies at Medtronic. “Robotics and digital innovation are transforming surgery into something more precise, consistent, and personalized.”
Dr. Porter believes the next major leap forward will come from integrating robotic systems with advanced software and artificial intelligence.
“One day, surgeons may have real-time access to 3D models of organs during procedures,” he said. “We could see digital guidance showing the ideal angle or approach for an instrument. That kind of insight could be game-changing for surgeons and expand patient access even further.”
While contributing to that future at Medtronic, Dr. Porter continues to care for patients like James.
More than two years after his surgery, James remains highly active—hiking, skiing, playing hockey, traveling frequently, and continuing his work in architecture.
“I’m rarely sitting still,” he joked. “Thanks to an incredible surgical team and the Hugo system, the surgery and recovery felt manageable. Life is wonderful, and I’m deeply thankful for the technology that helped make it that way.”
