USF and TGH partner with robotics company to become the first to bring life-saving surgical technology to Tampa Bay

By Ryan Hughes, University Communications and Marketing

Addressing the importance of health care advances to improve and save lives, the University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital today signed a robust partnership with Medical Microinstruments, Inc. (MMI) that will bring a cutting-edge medical device to the Tampa Bay region for the first time.

The agreement paves the way for USF/TGH to be the first health care system in the Southeast United States to deploy a new surgical technology, which will help elevate the standard in reconstructive oncology and the care of cancer patients in Florida.

USF President Rhea Law, TGH Cancer Institute Executive Director Dr. Eduardo Sotomayor and MMI President and CEO Mark Toland formally signed the agreement during a special ceremony in Italy, as part of a week-long trade mission to the European nation led by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who presided over the signing. 

“This unique and exciting partnership brings together the very best from both academic medicine and private industry to achieve progress in health care for Floridians who otherwise would not have access to this innovative surgical system in our state,” Law said.  “We are grateful to Gov. DeSantis and other state leaders for their support in helping us improve lives and build a healthier future.”

The longstanding relationship between TGH and USF Health forms one of the nation’s leading academic health systems, combining clinical care, teaching and research to deliver the best possible outcomes and support patients, including those with the most severe illnesses and complex health conditions. 

MMI is a cutting-edge medical robotics company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, with its Operations Center of Excellence located in Pisa, Italy.  

“The problem of cancer-related lymphedema that this collaboration is focused on tackling is significant. Unfortunately, today there is only a handful of surgeons with the skills necessary to treat this often-debilitating condition. The collaboration between MMI, USF and TGH is going to make substantial progress for patients on this front,” said Dr. Nicholas Panetta, chief of TGH Plastic Surgery and chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.  

MMI’s Symani Surgical System pushes the limits of soft tissue open surgery and presents opportunities for surgeons to restore the quality of life for more patients. This first-of-its-kind surgical robotic platform for open, soft tissue micro-level surgery can help address microvascular repair and lymphatic repair.  It provides advanced precision and control for doctors.

The Symani System is authorized for use in the U.S. by the FDA and is a CE Marked medical device in Europe. In Europe, it also addresses peripheral nerve repair. 

The device is currently in use at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, NYU, the University of Pennsylvania and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

“As we continue to advance patient care through microsurgical robotics, we look forward to working with the State of Florida, USF and Tampa General on pioneering a new collaboration that will help patients around the world,” Toland said.

The trade mission led by DeSantis sought to create economic growth opportunities for Florida.  Italy is among the state’s top 20 trade partners internationally, bringing in $4.4 billion in annual bilateral trade, according to the Governor’s Office.

“Congratulations to everyone involved in today’s MOU signing,” DeSantis said. “Florida boasts the best in health care, medical technology, and innovation, and we will continue to support our businesses and hospitals in forging new paths and partnerships. This new robotic surgical technology will increase the quality of life for those battling or recovering from cancer and make procedures for Floridians more precise and less invasive.”