Xact Robotics’ Ace Xtend Remote Control Unit Cleared

Xact Robotics has received FDA clearance for its Ace Xtend remote control unit, which allows users to robotically insert and steer the Xact Ace robotic system remotely from the control room when performing ablation probes and computed tomography-guided percutaneous procedures.

The remote guidance will ease physical strain on physicians while limiting users’ exposure to radiation and improve physicians’ efficiency by potentially shortening procedure times, the company said.

The Ace Xtend is limited to interventional radiology control rooms that have a window with complete vision of the patient and with the robot mounted on the patient or a video camera set-up in the radiology procedure room that provides the same vision. The remote robotic system can only be used after the first checkpoint in the surgical procedure has been reached, the company said.