Toumai Laparoscopic Surgical Robot

Toumai Product Family: Toumai Multi-Port (Standard) | Toumai SP (Single-Port) | Toumai Tele-Robotic (Remote Surgery)

Toumai represents China’s first NMPA-approved four-arm laparoscopic surgical robot, developed entirely by MicroPort MedBot with proprietary technology spanning mechanical design, control algorithms, and imaging systems. Since commercial launch, the system has completed over 15,000 clinical procedures globally and achieved over 50 commercial installations worldwide.

Product Overview

Launched commercially following NMPA approval in October 2021, Toumai addresses the growing demand for domestically manufactured surgical robots as an alternative to imported systems. The platform received multi-specialty NMPA clearance in September 2023, expanding approved indications from urology to include general surgery, thoracic surgery, and gynecology.

The system achieved CE Mark certification under the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) in May 2024 and ANVISA approval in Brazil in August 2024. Commercial deployments span multiple continents including Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America, with over 70 cumulative commercial orders as of mid-2025.

Key Features

Designed for multi-specialty minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, Toumai provides four-arm teleoperation with 7 degrees of freedom, proprietary force feedback, and glasses-free 3D visualization.

• 7 Degrees of Freedom: Articulated robotic arms provide enhanced maneuverability in confined surgical spaces, enabling complex procedures in the pelvis and retroperitoneum
• Force Feedback Technology: Proprietary haptic feedback system allows surgeons to perceive tissue resistance during manipulation
• Glasses-Free 3D Visualization: Immersive stereoscopic display provides depth perception without requiring 3D eyewear, reducing surgeon fatigue
• Sub-Millimeter Positioning: Precision control enables accurate instrument placement for delicate dissection and suturing
• Master-Slave Teleoperation: Intuitive console design translates surgeon hand movements to scaled instrument motion

Technical Specifications

Designed for four-specialty coverage, Toumai’s platform delivers 8mm instruments across four arms with 10× optical magnification and an ergonomic seated console.

Clinical Applications

Toumai has been validated across nearly 400 different surgical procedures spanning multiple specialties. High-volume clinical applications include:

Urology: Radical prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy, radical cystectomy General Surgery: Hepatectomy, gastrectomy, colorectal resection, cholecystectomy Thoracic Surgery: Lobectomy, segmentectomy, thymectomy Gynecology: Hysterectomy, myomectomy, endometriosis resection

The system has achieved particular success in complex procedures—Shanghai Lung Hospital completed nearly 500 commercial cases within 10 months of installation, while several centers have accumulated over 300 cases each.

Regulatory Status

Additional regulatory submissions are pending in over 20 countries and regions, with approvals expected throughout 2025.

Market Position

Toumai has achieved domestic market leadership among Chinese-manufactured laparoscopic robots, with provincial tertiary hospitals and national top-100 hospitals representing over 60% of installations. The system’s commercial pricing of approximately RMB 13 million positions it significantly below imported alternatives while offering comparable clinical functionality.

Training programs have engaged over 5,000 surgeons through more than 2,000 sessions in 2024, covering 40+ countries. This infrastructure supports continued adoption as additional regulatory clearances are obtained.

Frequently Asked Questions

What surgeries can Toumai perform?

Toumai is NMPA-approved for minimally invasive procedures in urology, general surgery, thoracic surgery, and gynecology. Common procedures include prostatectomy, nephrectomy, hepatectomy, gastrectomy, lobectomy, and hysterectomy.

How much does the Toumai system cost?

Based on public tender results, Toumai systems have been procured at approximately RMB 13 million, compared to RMB 18-20 million for da Vinci systems in China.

Does Toumai have force feedback?

Yes, Toumai incorporates proprietary haptic feedback technology that provides surgeons with tactile sensation during tissue manipulation, a feature not available on all competing platforms.