Key Innovation
A fully disposable surgical robot eliminated sterilization without sacrificing precision.
Single-Use Surgical Robotics
Client
StaplCam
Practice Areas
Smart Medical Devices
Core Disciplines
Overview
StaplCam set out to transform robotic surgery by developing the world’s first fully disposable surgical operating system. The company engaged Triple Ring to drive R&D and product development, from concept definition through preclinical evaluation.
The program focused on creating a fully disposable robotic platform designed to reduce healthcare costs and simplify surgical workflows through eliminating requirements for cleaning, sterilization, and reprocessing of typical robotic surgery instruments.
Challenge
Developing a fully disposable surgical robot required rethinking conventional robotic surgery platforms while maintaining the performance required for both routine and complex procedures.
The system needed to deliver precision and functionality expected of advanced robotic surgical devices while introducing an entirely new approach to sterility, workflow efficiency, and cost. Achieving that vision leveraged Triple Ring’s expertise spanning user-centered design, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, and rapid prototyping.
Single-Use Surgical Robotics
Overview
StaplCam set out to transform robotic surgery by developing the world’s first fully disposable surgical operating system. The company engaged Triple Ring to drive R&D and product development, from concept definition through preclinical evaluation.
The program focused on creating a fully disposable robotic platform designed to reduce healthcare costs and simplify surgical workflows through eliminating requirements for cleaning, sterilization, and reprocessing of typical robotic surgery instruments.
Challenge
Developing a fully disposable surgical robot required rethinking conventional robotic surgery platforms while maintaining the performance required for both routine and complex procedures.
The system needed to deliver precision and functionality expected of advanced robotic surgical devices while introducing an entirely new approach to sterility, workflow efficiency, and cost. Achieving that vision leveraged Triple Ring’s expertise spanning user-centered design, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, and rapid prototyping.
Client
StaplCam
Practice Areas
Smart Medical Devices
Core Disciplines
Software Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Systems Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Industrial Design
Solution
Triple Ring partnered closely with StaplCam throughout the product development process, helping transform an ambitious concept into a functional robotic platform.
The development program included:
- Defining user needs and mapping clinical workflows to guide system requirements
- Creating product concepts and visualizations to accelerate design refinement
- Developing novel intellectual property supporting the disposable robotic platform including custom HD camera, lighting, and display
- Designing, engineering, and integrating a complete robotic system that enabled three tools to be managed with two hands using established laparoscopic motions and techniques
- Building proof-of-concept prototypes and conducting iterative engineering cycles
- Supporting preclinical testing to advance the system toward clinical readiness
Outcome
Triple Ring and StaplCam developed a fully disposable surgical robot prototype that challenges conventional expectations for robotic surgery by combining sterility, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness within a single-use platform.
The system successfully demonstrated its capabilities during preclinical testing and is positioned to advance toward human clinical trials. By eliminating the need to clean, sterilize, and reprocess reusable instruments, the platform has the potential to improve surgical workflows, reduce infection risk, lower healthcare cost, and expand access to robotic surgery across a broad range of procedures.
Triple Ring Talent
The Story Behind the Innovation
At Triple Ring, we draw on a deep bench of expertise across diverse disciplines matched to each innovation challenge. For this project, our team combined surgical robotics, systems engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, software development, and user-centered design expertise to bring the world’s first fully disposable surgical robotic platform from concept to preclinical validation.
Tachi, Chris, and Tim collaborated with many talented colleagues across Triple Ring and StaplCam on this project.
Tachi Callas
Mechanical Engineering
Tachi Callas leads mechanical engineering teams developing complex medical technologies across the full product lifecycle. His work transforms innovative device concepts into manufacturable systems supporting advanced surgical and therapeutic applications.
Chris Mitchell, PhD
Bio and Electrical Engineering & Program Management
Dr. Chris Mitchell brings deep experience leading multidisciplinary teams developing complex imaging and medical device systems. His work focuses on guiding technical programs from concept through implementation, helping translate advanced technologies into reliable, real-world solutions.
Tim Sauder
Tim Sauder brings broad experience spanning biomedical engineering, medical device development, and advanced manufacturing. His work ranges from robotics systems and continuous biomarker monitoring technologies to business development and market assessment, supporting innovation across the medical device lifecycle.
