Lancet Robotics

Lancet Robotics emerged from Hangzhou’s Future Science and Technology City in 2018, founded by a team of engineers from Tsinghua University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and National Taiwan University. The company has positioned itself as a multi-specialty surgical robotics platform, achieving the distinction of being among the first Chinese companies to obtain both NMPA and FDA certifications for hip replacement surgical navigation systems.

Company Overview

The company focuses on digitizing and automating orthopedic and dental procedures, with a technology platform that encompasses preoperative planning, intraoperative real-time navigation, and postoperative evaluation. By 2025, Lancet Robotics had secured five Class III medical device registration certificates, one FDA registration certificate, and two Class II medical device certifications.

Core founding principles emphasize complete domestic component supply chains. The company reports achieving 100% localization of core components, accumulating nearly 400 intellectual property filings including 166 invention patents. This focus on indigenous development addresses longstanding concerns about dependence on imported surgical robotics technology.

Core Products

RobPath Hip Replacement Navigation System

The flagship RobPath THA (Total Hip Arthroplasty) Navigation and Positioning System received NMPA approval in August 2023, becoming the first domestically developed hip replacement surgical navigation system to achieve simultaneous NMPA and FDA certification. The system delivers sub-millimeter positioning accuracy, reportedly surpassing some imported alternatives in precision while maintaining approximately half the price point of foreign competitors.

RobPath Knee Replacement Robot

Building on the hip replacement platform, Lancet developed an integrated hip-knee replacement surgical robot system. The knee replacement module has obtained NMPA Class III certification, enabling the company to address both major joint replacement categories with a unified robotic platform.

Dencore Dental Implant Navigation System

Entering the oral surgery market, the Dencore sensing-type dental implant surgical robot received NMPA Class III approval in October 2024. The system features a triple-screen linkage design with real-time tracking and precise positioning capabilities for dental implant procedures.

Pipeline Products

A spine surgery robot has completed clinical trial registration and awaits final NMPA certification. The company has also disclosed active development in vascular intervention robotics, targeting expansion into the interventional cardiology and neurovascular markets.

Technology & Innovation

The company’s technical approach combines optical positioning systems with robotic arm control and safety boundary algorithms. Key differentiators include:

Spatial Registration Technology: Enables 360-degree bone structure acquisition for personalized surgical planning.

Safety Boundary Control: Prevents inadvertent deviation from planned surgical paths, reducing adverse event risks.

Radiation Reduction: Compared to conventional fluoroscopy-guided procedures, the navigation system significantly reduces X-ray exposure for both patients and surgical teams.

The positioning accuracy specification of below 1mm represents an improvement over the approximately 10mm accuracy achievable through manual surgical techniques, according to company data.

Market Presence

Commercial deployment spans dozens of hospitals across China, including major tertiary institutions and county-level facilities. Since the August 2023 product launch, Lancet systems have supported over 300 surgical procedures, with 2025 targets set at 1,000 procedures.

International expansion has progressed into South America, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Eastern Europe, with over 20 overseas orders secured and multiple units achieving commercial installation at international clinical centers. The company positions itself as one of the first Chinese surgical robot manufacturers to establish a meaningful overseas presence.

General Manager Qian Kun has emphasized the strategic importance of reaching grassroots hospitals, noting that the second half of 2025 will see the launch of four fully domestically-produced surgical robot products aimed at expanding access beyond major metropolitan centers.

Key Milestones

• 2018: Company founded in Hangzhou Future Science and Technology City
• 2021: Pre-A funding round completed with support from Haibang Investment
• 2022: Pre-A+ round completed; clinical trials advance across multiple product lines
• 2023-08: RobPath THA hip navigation system receives NMPA and FDA dual certification
• 2024-10: Dencore dental implant navigation system obtains NMPA approval
• 2024-11: Series A funding led by CICC Capital
• 2025-06: Series A+ funding from Yuehu Fund

Frequently Asked Questions

What products does Lancet Robotics offer?

Lancet Robotics currently offers NMPA-approved products including the RobPath hip replacement navigation system (also FDA-certified), RobPath knee replacement robot, and Dencore dental implant navigation system. Pipeline products include spine surgery robots and vascular intervention robots.

Is Lancet Robotics publicly traded?

No, Lancet Robotics remains a privately held company. The company has completed multiple funding rounds through Series A+, with investors including CICC Capital, Yuehu Fund, Dongfang Fuhai, Yuan Sheng Ventures, and Qianhai Fund of Funds.

How does Lancet Robotics compare to imported surgical robots?

According to company representatives, Lancet’s positioning accuracy approaches or matches imported alternatives while offering pricing approximately half that of foreign competitors. The RobPath hip navigation system achieved the distinction of being the first Chinese hip replacement navigation product to obtain both NMPA and FDA certifications.