# Dexter by Distalmotion Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/robotics/dexter Frontier: [Robotics](https://technooptimist.io/robotics.md) · Field: Keyhole surgery robots · Company: [Distalmotion](https://technooptimist.io/companies/distalmotion.md) Stage: Deploy (4 of 5: Research → Proto → Pilot → Deploy → Scaling) Updated: last update 2026-08-13, facts checked 2026-10-11 Goal: Bring robotic keyhole surgery to the outpatient centres where most routine operations now happen. Big robots are too costly and bulky for them; a cheaper, mobile one could give everyday hernia and gallbladder patients robotic precision. Status: FDA-cleared for five outpatient procedures; 4,000+ patients; pushing into US ambulatory surgery centres. Next milestone: Scale-up in US ambulatory surgery centres, target 2026 ## Milestones | Status | Milestone | Date | Slip | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Done | Dexter in routine clinical use in Europe | 2023 | | | Done | $150M Series F led by Revival Healthcare Capital | Apr 2023 | | | Done | FDA De Novo authorisation (inguinal hernia repair) | 28 Oct 2024 | | | Done | First US patients treated, outpatient setting | Dec 2024 | | | Done | First US sale (Memorial Hermann) | 25 Mar 2025 | | | Done | FDA clearance: gallbladder removal | 28 May 2025 | | | Done | FDA clearance: benign hysterectomy | 1 Oct 2025 | | | Done | FDA clearance: sacrocolpopexy (gynecology) | 16 Jun 2026 | | | Done | FDA clearance: ventral hernia repair | 13 Aug 2026 | | | Current | Scale-up in US ambulatory surgery centres | 2026 | | ## Upcoming events - **2026**: Scale-up in US ambulatory surgery centres ## Most important updates - **13 Aug 2026**: Dexter cleared by FDA for ventral hernia repair, its fifth US indication. Distalmotion received FDA 510(k) clearance to use Dexter in ventral hernia repair, backed by its RAVEN study. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/dexter-cleared-by-fda-for-ventral-hernia-repair-its-fifth-us-indication-dcf8ad4c.md) · [original source](https://www.distalmotion.com/news/dexter_510k_clearance_for_ventral_hernia_repair)) - **13 Jan 2026**: Johnson & Johnson's venture arm makes a strategic investment in Distalmotion. Johnson & Johnson Innovation (JJDC) invested an undisclosed amount in Distalmotion to back Dexter's expansion into ambulatory surgery centres. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/johnson-and-johnson-s-venture-arm-makes-a-strategic-investment-in-68e64006.md) · [original source](https://www.distalmotion.com/news/distalmotion_secures_strategic_investment_to_expand_asc_expansion)) - **18 Nov 2025**: Distalmotion raises $150M Series G led by Revival Healthcare Capital; Chas McKhann named executive chairman. Distalmotion closed a $150 million Series G to speed US adoption of Dexter, focused on ambulatory surgery centres, plus clinical and product development. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/distalmotion-raises-150m-series-g-led-by-revival-healthcare-capital-2db1707a.md) · [original source](https://www.distalmotion.com/news/distalmotion_raises_150_million_to_accelerate_dexter_expansion)) - **28 Oct 2024**: FDA grants De Novo authorisation for Distalmotion's Dexter in inguinal hernia repair. The FDA authorised Dexter for adult laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, opening the US market to the Swiss robot. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/fda-grants-de-novo-authorisation-for-distalmotion-s-dexter-in-inguinal-34b74748.md) · [original source](https://www.distalmotion.com/news/fda-grants-marketing-authorization-for-dexter)) ## Current obstacles - **Proving value in surgery centres**: Outpatient centres run on tight margins; Dexter must show shorter set-up and turnover times than larger robots to justify its cost. - **Building indication by indication**: Each new procedure needs its own US clinical study and clearance (ventral hernia relied on the RAVEN study). ## Physics limits - **No touch feedback**: Like most surgical robots, Dexter's instruments do not send force back to the surgeon's hands, who must judge tissue tension by eye on the video. - **Keyhole geometry**: Every instrument pivots around a fixed hole in the abdominal wall, which limits reach and leverage however dexterous the wrist at the tip is. ## How it works ### Arms: Wristed instruments through small ports Robotic arms hold instruments with a bendable wrist at the tip, giving more angles inside the abdomen than straight laparoscopic sticks. ### Console: Sterile console beside the patient The surgeon sits at an open console next to the table rather than across the room, and can step to the bedside to use hand tools. ### Open kit: Bring your own camera and tools Dexter works with the operating room's existing 3D cameras, energy devices and vessel sealers, cutting what a centre must buy. ### Disposables: Single-use instruments Instruments are thrown away after each case, so centres skip the cleaning and reprocessing that reusable robot tools require. ## Spec sheet | Spec | Dexter | Provenance | | --- | --- | --- | | Patients treated (Aug 2026) | 4,000+ | reported | | US-cleared procedures | 5 | reported | | Instruments | Single-use, fully wristed | reported | | Cleared patient age | 22 and older | reported | Provenance: reported = stated by the company; estimated = our estimate; sample = a sample figure. ## About Distalmotion Swiss maker of Dexter, a compact keyhole-surgery robot built for ambulatory surgery centres. Founded in 2012 as an EPFL spin-off; based in Lausanne with a US office in Cleveland. Backed by Revival Healthcare Capital and J&J's venture arm. - Dexter is FDA-cleared for five common outpatient operations, from hernia repair to hysterectomy (2024-2026). - Raised $150M in a Series G (Nov 2025) led by Revival Healthcare Capital, then a strategic investment from J&J (Jan 2026). - Over 4,000 patients treated in Europe and the US by August 2026. - Founded: 2012 - Headquarters: CH, US - Status: private - Raised: $300M - Last round: Strategic (undisclosed), Jan 2026, led by Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC - Website: https://www.distalmotion.com - People: Greg Roche (CEO); Chas McKhann (Executive Chairman) - Partners, customers, investors: Johnson & Johnson (investor); Revival Healthcare Capital (investor); Memorial Hermann Health System (customer); AdventHealth (customer) Company page: https://technooptimist.io/companies/distalmotion.md ## Related programs Everything in Robotics: https://technooptimist.io/robotics.md --- The Techno Optimist tracks every frontier of technology, program by program: https://technooptimist.io/ (a Markdown version of any page: add .md to its URL; site map for agents: https://technooptimist.io/llms.txt). 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