~ CMR Surgical’s next-generation surgical robotic system, Versius, is featured in the Science Museum’s new, free Engineers gallery
~ Opening today, on International Women in Engineering Day, the gallery is dedicated to world-changing engineering innovations, and the people behind them, while highlighting the importance of diversity in developing new innovations for today’s society
CMR Surgical (CMR) – the global surgical robotics business – has today announced that its next-generation surgical robotic system, Versius®, is being installed in a new permanent gallery called Engineers at the Science Museum. The Engineers gallery celebrates remarkable engineers alongside ground-breaking innovations they have helped to develop which address key global challenges. The new gallery is divided into four distinct sections – Bodies, Creating, Lives and Connections – which consists of the stories and experiences from 60 engineers – including those from CMR.
Versius is a uniquely small and modular surgical robotic system which has been developed in the United Kingdom and is a great example of British innovation. The system is included within the ‘Bodies’ section of the Engineers gallery, which explores how healthcare innovations such as Versius place people and their bodies at the heart of their engineering practice. Human stories are at the heart of the gallery, which challenges common misconceptions of what engineers do and offers a fresh perspective on the breadth and diversity of these important roles. This includes stories of people like Dr Uresha Patel, Clinical Development Engineering Lead at CMR, who is featured within the gallery alongside Versius.
On her inclusion in the gallery, Dr Uresha Patel, Clinical Engineering Lead at CMR Surgical commented: “It is an honour to be featured in the Engineers gallery and have an opportunity to promote women in STEM. Diversity and representation are key to developing innovations such as Versius for today’s society and I hope the Science Museum’s new Engineers gallery will help to drive conversations on how we can do that.”
Dr Mark Slack, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder at CMR Surgical commented: “We are thrilled that Versius has been included in the collection of such a celebrated institution as the Science Museum. The small, modular robot that has already transformed the lives of thousands of patients globally is the culmination of many brilliant minds who have worked collaboratively to make Versius what it is today – a leading surgical robotic system that fits the needs of hospitals and surgeons globally. It is an honour for CMR and all the people behind Versius to be recognised in such a way and celebrated alongside other incredible engineering innovations.”
The gallery opening coincides with International Women in Engineering Day, and seeks to celebrate women in STEM, and to support more young women to pursue engineering degrees and careers. In the UK, currently only 18% of those admitted into engineering degrees are women, and women only comprise of 16.5% the UK engineering workforce.[i] By featuring young female engineers from different backgrounds, and their exciting real-world solutions such as Versius that help society to flourish, the gallery hopes to inspire the next generation of girls to consider choosing engineering careers.
The inclusion of CMR in the Engineers gallery follows CMR being awarded a King’s Award for Innovation for Versius. The Engineers gallery is free to attend and is now open to the public. To find out more about the Engineers gallery, and book tickets, visit www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/engineers.
ENDS
The Versius® Surgical Robotic System
Versius® resets expectations of robotic surgery. Versius fits into virtually any operating room set-up and integrates seamlessly into existing workflows, increasing the likelihood of robotic minimal access surgery (MAS). The small, portable and modular design of Versius allows the surgeon to only use the number of arms needed for a given procedure.
Biomimicking the human arm, Versius gives surgeons the choice of optimised port placement alongside the dexterity and accuracy of small fully-wristed instruments. With 3D HD vision, easy-to adopt instrument control and a choice of ergonomic working positions, the open surgeon console has the potential to reduce stress and fatigue and allows for clear communication with the surgical team. By thinking laparoscopically and operating robotically with Versius, patients, surgeons and healthcare professionals can all benefit from the value that robotic MAS brings.
But it’s more than just a robot. Versius captures meaningful data with its wider digital ecosystem to support a surgeon’s continuous learning. Through the Versius Connect app, Versius Trainer and CMR clinical registry, Versius unleashes a wealth of insights to ultimately improve surgical care.
About CMR Surgical Limited
CMR Surgical (CMR) is a global medical devices company dedicated to transforming surgery with Versius®, a next-generation surgical robot.
Headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, CMR is committed to working with surgeons, surgical teams and hospital partners, to provide an optimal tool to make robotic minimal access surgery universally accessible and affordable. With Versius, we are on a mission to redefine the surgical robotics market with practical, innovative technology and data that can improve surgical care.
Founded in 2014, CMR Surgical is private limited company backed by an international shareholder base.
About the Science Museum
Tracing its origins from the Great Exhibition of 1851, the Science Museum has pioneered interactive science interpretation for more than eight decades. Part of the Science Museum Group, we share the stories of innovations and people that shaped our world and are transforming the future, constantly reinterpreting our astonishingly diverse collection of 7.3 million items spanning science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. Our mission is to inspire futures – igniting curiosity among people of all ages and backgrounds.
References
[i] Figures taken from the Women in Engineering report, UK, 2022.
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