Close-up of a robotic surgical system performing a minimally invasive procedure on a patient in the operating room

Surgical

Innovative Surgical Devices and Instruments for the Modern OR

Transforming Surgical Procedures Through Advanced Device Innovation

Precision is at the heart of every surgical procedure. As non-invasive techniques and surgical robotics transform the operating room, the demand for advanced smart instruments is growing.

These innovations improve reliability, automate complex tasks with accuracy, and form the foundation of modern surgical device development. Creating instruments that help surgeons operate more safely and efficiently spans specialties including robotics, navigation, minimally invasive tools, and imaging. Surgical innovation enables medtech companies to deliver differentiated, high-value devices to market.

Surgeons using minimally invasive surgical instruments during a procedure in a sterile operating room environment

How Surgical Devices Improve Outcomes, Reduce Risk, and Accelerate Success

Advanced surgical devices can reduce procedural risks, shorten recovery times, and improve patient outcomes—critical factors for hospitals, surgeons, and healthcare systems. For medtech companies, surgical innovations also offer clear regulatory and market advantages.

Whether your therapy targets a tumor, a neural pathway, or a systemic condition, we know how to translate delivery intent into working devices—built to support the demands of users, trials, and production.

Well-designed surgical devices:

  • Support more precise, reproducible procedures
  • Enable less invasive treatment options
  • Improve workflow for OR teams
  • Enhance safety and usability
  • Increase clinical and market adoption
  • Accelerate regulatory approval with strong human factors and usability data

By reducing technical and clinical risks early in development, medtech companies can bring surgical innovations to market faster, with greater confidence in product success.

StarFish Expertise in Surgical Robotics, Imaging, and Minimally Invasive Systems

At StarFish Medical, we design and develop surgical devices and instruments that redefine procedures in the operating room. Our engineering team has pioneered innovations in non-invasive surgery and surgical robotics, leveraging deep expertise in surgical workflows and critical success factors that impact OR teams.

Our experience spans non-invasive procedures, thermal ablation, ophthalmology, direct brain access, orthopedic surgery, and surgical robotics. We integrate technical innovation with human factors and industrial design to create devices that truly improve patient outcomes.

Our commitment to risk management ensures that every device we develop exceeds industry standards, incorporating advanced technologies that enhance efficiency, safety, and clinical value.

StarFish Medical design team collaborating on a surgical device prototype during a development workshop
Four people sit around a conference table in a meeting room. One person is standing, demonstrating a product or prototype to the group, which includes two men and one woman attentively watching. The table holds sample cases and devices.

Seamless Program Management and Manufacturing Readiness for Surgical Innovations

We take a multidisciplinary approach to surgical device development, combining technical and scientific expertise with human factors and usability insights. This ensures that devices are intuitive, practical, and aligned with real-world surgical needs.

Our dedicated project and program management team aligns development with your clinical, technical, and business objectives, while supporting both internal and regulatory milestones. We maintain clear, transparent communication throughout your project.

From concept to the OR, our commitment to quality, precision, and execution extends through manufacturing. When it’s time to scale beyond clinical trials, we ensure a seamless transfer to your preferred contract manufacturer or one of our trusted partners.

Examples of Surgical Innovation Delivered by StarFish Medical

We partner with startup innovators and global medtech companies to bring a wide range of surgical innovations to market. Here are a few examples:

icon of robotic dental surgery device

Robotic Dental Surgery

Designed and built a robotic system for dental root canal procedures, combining robotics and AI to shorten complex procedures and inform treatment plans.

icon of thermal ablation device

Thermal Ablation

Developed a minimally invasive bronchoscopic device for delivering thermal ablation treatment to patients with lung disease, for use by interventional respirologists.

icon of emergency room ventilator

Emergency Room Ventilators

Designed and certified an emergency ventilator within six months during the pandemic, later developing a version for pediatric use.

icon of laser induced eye colour change device

Laser-Induced Eye Color Change

Engineered a non-invasive laser device that reveals underlying eye coloration in a doctor’s office, performed in under one minute per eye.

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Surgical Equipment DHF Updates

Supported updates to Design History Files (DHFs) to meet new regulatory requirements, operating within the client’s QMS to minimize impact.

icon of bone tape for skull fractures

Bone Tape for Skull Fracture Repair

Assisted in developing an ultrasound system to modify flexible bone patches for skull fracture repair, as an alternative to titanium plates and screws.

How We Support Surgical Device Development at Every Stage

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Product Design & Development

Multidisciplinary teams with in-house capabilities to take your surgical device from concept to final product.

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New Product Introduction and Manufacturing

Expertise in clinical trial support, scalable design, and seamless tech transfers for commercial launch.

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Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs

Integrated quality and regulatory services to navigate complex requirements and drive regulatory success.

Why Leading Medtech Companies Choose StarFish for Surgical Devices

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Aligned to Your Milestones

Whether targeting preclinical studies, clinical trials, or fundraising, we align deliverables to your key program milestones.

Top-down view of three people at a white table examining electronic device packaging, including tablets, chargers, and protective cases.

In-House Usability Testing & Human Factors Engineering

User-centric design ensures safe, effective, and intuitive surgical tools.

A man standing and pointing at a computer screen while a seated woman uses a mouse and keyboard, both focused on a task in a modern office or lab workspace.

Agile Program Management

Agile and science-driven methods, supported by a rigorous QMS, help meet clinical objectives.

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Design for Seamless Manufacturing

Built for manufacturability, with class 10,000 cleanrooms for clinical builds and support for contract manufacturing transfers.

Two scientists wearing lab coats and blue gloves working with precision instruments in a laboratory setting, focusing on mechanical or materials testing equipment.

Engineering Informed by Science

Scientists and engineers collaborate to develop devices grounded in surgical physiology and clinical requirements.

ISO-Certified Facilities and In-House Capabilities for Surgical Device Development

With ISO-certified facilities in Irvine, Vancouver, and Toronto, StarFish Medical is equipped for advanced surgical device development and production:

  • Advanced rapid prototyping
  • BSL2 labs for verification & validation testing
  • ISO 13485-certified facilities
  • Class 10,000 clean rooms
  • FDA-registered flexible manufacturing
  • Custom IQ-OQ-PQ procedures
  • Pilot-scale manufacturing
  • Support for contract manufacturing transfers

Cross-Disciplinary Expertise Beyond Surgical Devices

A healthcare professional wearing purple gloves performs an ultrasound examination on a patient's knee using a handheld ultrasound probe. A medical imaging screen displaying the ultrasound results is visible in the background.

Diagnostics

From remote diagnostics to advanced imaging.

Health care, medicine, people eyesight and technology concept

Therapy Devices

Enabling critical care and home-based therapies.

A young child wearing a striped blue shirt uses a nebulizer mask for respiratory treatment. The transparent mask covers their nose and mouth, with visible vapor coming from the device. The child looks upwards while holding the nebulizer, and the background is softly blurred, suggesting a home setting.

Drug Delivery

Combination products for innovative therapies.

Ready to Bring Your Surgical Innovation to Life?

Let’s Talk.

TL;DR

  • StarFish Medical specializes in surgical device development, including robotics, navigation, and minimally invasive tools.
  • Deep expertise in usability, human factors, and surgical workflows.
  • Proven track record with startups and global medtech leaders.
  • Integrated design, regulatory, and manufacturing support.
  • ISO-certified facilities in Irvine, Vancouver, and Toronto.
Futuristic laboratory with multiple glowing blue cylindrical tanks emitting mist. A red arrow points to one tank. Overlay text reads: ‘Bacta tank. For real?’ in bold white letters on a black background.

Star Wars Bacta Tank in Real Life

Ariana Wilson and Mark Drlik take inspiration from a scene in The Empire Strikes Back to talk about real-world parallels to the Star Wars bacta tank.

A medical professional wearing a white coat and blue gloves holds a red cooler labeled ‘Organ Transport.’ Overlay text reads: ‘The call came’ in bold black letters on a white highlight.

Organ Transplant Logistics in Device Design

In this Before the Build episode, Eric Olson and Paul Charlebois dive into the importance of organ transplant logistics when designing effective medical devices.

A vial of orange liquid with a radiation symbol and a syringe sit on a reflective metal surface in front of a large medical imaging machine. The overlay text reads: "Radioactive. On Purpose?" in bold black font on a white rounded background.

Radiopharmaceutical Device Development Explained

Radiopharmaceutical device development is gaining momentum as medical teams explore new frontiers in diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment.