The global market for robotically assisted systems (RAS) is expected to reach $5.3bn by 2021, a CAGR of 11.7%. Meddevicetracker expects this hot market, long-dominated by Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci systems, to see rising competition from innovative companies developing robotic systems that are smaller, portable and less costly and offer surgeons innovative features that allow them to perform even more precise and user-friendly, complex surgeries. In this feature, we'll take a closer look at the overall market, highlighting the competitive landscape as well as limiters and growth opportunities. We'll also take a deep dive into RAS systems and their applications. Surgeons of various specialties provide key insights about the pros and cons of different systems.

The positive growth trend seen in Israel's digital health industry is galvanizing big players like Medtronic into action to start developing and recognizing synergistic technologies for future business. Medtech Insight met with members of MindUP, Israel's first digital health incubator and the result of a cross-industry partnership, at the MiXiii Biomed conference in Tel Aviv, to discover how the joint venture is driving the next generation of digital innovations.

Device Debuts is a new regular feature highlighting Medtech Insight editors’ top picks of medical devices that have been commercialized for the first time in the last month. This edition features an innovative minimally invasive surgical stapler, a pain-free blood-collection device, a novel approach for collecting, and circulating tumor cells, a rapid fluid-infusion device for critically ill patients, and an EP-mapping and navigation system.