Medical
German endoscope maker Karl Storz completed its purchase of Asensus for 35 cents a share in cash.
A dated step forward on the record
What the source says
“A third vote was not necessary because Asensus received sufficient votes to go through with the merger.”
What it means
Senhance Surgical System, from Asensus Surgical (formerly TransEnterix), owned by Karl Storz, is at stage 5 of 5 on our ladder: regulator-cleared or mass market. Its stage is set by other milestones on its record; this one adds to the history.
Human help: Our sources report it working without human help.
More on Senhance Surgical System
- Karl Storz said it would start an orderly end of service for Senhance, stop work on the LUNA robot and retire the Asensus brand.
- A North Carolina layoff notice showed about 108 Asensus jobs being cut, with the layoffs taking effect on 1 March 2027.
- Asensus recalled Senhance because faults could make the robot move on its own. The FDA called it a Class I recall, the most serious kind. Five US devices were affected and no patient harm was reported.
- FDA Class I recall: malfunctions could cause unintended robot movement. Five US devices affected; no patient harm reported.
- Asensus showed LUNA, a planned next surgical system. It was still in development and had not been sent to the FDA.
- The FDA cleared the Senhance robot through the 510(k) route. It already had a CE mark for sale in Europe.