Google Partners with Johnson & Johnson on Surgical Robotics Project

Google and Johnson & Johnson have announced that they will be collaborating together in the development of an advanced, robot-assisted surgery platform. The joint effort will involve "capabilities, intellectual property and expertise" from both companies, along with Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon, maker of medical devices.

More specifically, Google and Ethicon will be collaborating on the development of surgical robots intended for assistance in operating rooms. Robotic-assisted surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery that uses technology to give surgeons greater control, access and accuracy during the surgical procedure while benefiting patients by minimizing trauma and scarring, enabling accelerated post-surgical healing. The companies seek to develop new robotic tools and capabilities for surgeons and operating room professionals that integrate best-in-class medical device technology with leading-edge robotic systems, imaging and data analytics.

Gary Pruden, Worldwide Chairman, Global Surgery Group, Johnson & Johnson, in a statement said: "For more than 60 years, Ethicon has developed products and technologies that have transformed the way surgery is done. This collaboration with Google is another important step in our commitment to advancing surgical care, and together, we aim to put the best science, technology and surgical know-how in the hands of medical teams around the world."

The life sciences team at Google followed up in a separate statement [via ZDNet], suggesting "it could be possible to develop real-time image analysis capabilities that help surgeons see better; software could help to highlight blood vessels or nerves or tumor margins that are difficult to see with the naked eye." Google Glass has already been previously used in some robot-assisted surgery setups. Also, the joint platform with Ethicon could be used to collect and analyze data related to procedures. Over time, specific treatments and surgery practices may be developed and refined based on the outcome of the joint effort.