Computer Motion launches AESOP 2000; world's first FDA cleared surgical robot capable of understanding voice commands is now available

Business Wire, Oct 7, 1996

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 1996--At the American College of Surgeons 82nd Clinical Congress, Computer Motion, the world's leading supplier of medical robots, announced the release of its next generation surgical robot -- AESOP 2000 with Voice Control.

AESOP 2000 features the most intuitive interface available, the ability to understand a surgeon's voice commands. This allows the surgeon to use spoken English to precisely maneuver and position a laparoscope (a specially designed optical tube which, when connected to a medical video camera and light source, is passed into the body to allow the surgeon to view the operation on a video monitor).

AESOP 2000 (pronounced "eesop") is the second generation of the company's flagship product, and was cleared by the FDA in May 1996. A clinical advisory team comprised of leading endoscopic surgeons has worked closely with the company throughout the development of the surgical robot's voice control interface. Clinical validations have been successfully completed at more than 15 institutions across the nation.

"Surgeons have been asking for an easy way to control their field of vision during surgery. Our research has confirmed that voice control is the ideal interface. We are delighted to offer this advanced solution today," said Gene Wang, chief executive officer and president Computer Motion.

"We plan to apply our voice control technology across a broad range of surgical devices to create an industry standard surgeon-to-machine interface for the operating room."

AESOP (an acronym for Automated Endoscopic System for Optimal Positioning) was first introduced in October 1994. More than 15,000 minimally invasive surgeries have been successfully assisted by AESOP in more than 150 hospitals and surgery centers around the world.

"I love it (AESOP 2000)!" said Dr. Carlos Gracia, a leading endoscopic surgeon at San Ramon Regional Medical Center, San Ramon, Calif. "It's quiet, it does what you tell it to do, it doesn't complain, it doesn't fatigue and has a precision that I can't even duplicate when I'm holding the camera for someone else."

Computer Motion's core development team, led by chief technical officer and founder, Dr. Yulun Wang, has worked together for more than 10 years and holds many key patents in robotics for medical applications. Computer Motion is currently developing computer assisted surgical systems for new applications which leverage the core technologies underlying the AESOP family of products.

Founded in 1989, Computer Motion is the world leader in medical robotics. The company's mission is to enhance surgeons' capabilities and improve outcomes while reducing costs in the operating room using computers and robotics. Computer Motion is privately held and is based in Goleta, Calif. The company's Web site is http://www.ComputerMotion.com.

CONTACT: Computer Motion Inc.

Leslie Remley, 805/968-9600, ext. 125

or

Michael Chan, 805/968-9600, ext. 103