HAMILTON, ON (May 7, 2024) — Insight Medbotics, a medical device company combining the accuracy of MRI with the precision of robotics, is pleased to announce that Akshay Puli, P. Eng., has joined the company as Chief Product Officer.
Insight Medbotics develops MRI-guided robotics that combine better accuracy, speed, and efficiency to bring minimally-invasive access together with the insights that only MRI can provide. The company’s MRI-compatible robot, IGAR, has clinically demonstrated its use for breast cancer patients and announced an FDA 510(k) clearance for breast biopsy in September. With that approval, IGAR became the first and only robot of its kind to achieve this clearance for use in MRI, one of the most challenging hospital environments. Other potential product applications include targeted therapeutic delivery and device placement.
Puli brings seven years of experience in product development for complex soft-tissue surgical robotics to this role, grounded in a strong track record for clinical development and deep understanding of the U.S. and Canadian healthcare systems. He shaped the clinical user experience for Ottava, Johnson and Johnson’s first soft-tissue robotic platform by advocating for product roadmaps to be built around the clinical team. Separately, Puli also supported surgeons in establishing and expanding their robotic surgical practice using Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci system.
In past Medtech roles, Puli has successfully aligned R&D decisions and product development strategies to the needs of clinical users. At Johnson & Johnson, for example, he trained clinical engineering teams to validate user experience as part of the agile software development process. This strategic approach ensured that developed features for the Ottava system remained aligned with clinical intent and customer needs.
“Understanding the needs and challenges of clinical leaders is key to developing transformative medical device solutions, particularly in the robotics space. I’m thrilled to join Insight Medbotics as the IGAR robotics technology capitalizes on macro trends in Robotics, MRI, and precision medicine with the long-term goal of making new robotic interventions possible and more accessible in the image guidance space. I’m excited to work with CTO Abhijit Saxena and our engineering team to translate contextual clinical behavior and workflows into actionable user-centric design insight while delivering a meaningful impact to patients and clinicians.”
~ Akshay Puli, Chief Product Officer, Insight Medbotics
“Akshay Puli’s experience in the soft-tissue surgical robotics space, particularly working alongside surgeons in the OR, places him in a strong position to guide our clinical strategy and clinical relationships along with the IGAR robotics technology’s product roadmap. I’m excited that Akshay has joined us to create an intuitive experience for our clinical customers while also helping us to define the path to pioneering MRI-guided robotics for more targeted care for patients everywhere. Together with Chair Dean Mosca and the Board of Directors, I welcome Akshay to the team.”
~ Fazila Seker, CEO and member of the Board of Directors
Insight Medbotics was created as a start-up company by the Centre for Surgical Invention and Innovation (CSii), and MDA.
About Insight Medbotics
Insight Medbotics is developing MRI-guided robotics to advance its technology to procedures where accuracy and precision matter most to patients, physicians, and hospitals. The IGAR system has been clinically demonstrated in breast cancer patients and is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared, MRI-compatible robot. With a FDA 510(k) clearance in breast biopsy, Insight Medbotics envisions development in other biopsies, therapy delivery, and device placement.