FDA clears Medtronic's Stealth AXiS combined planning, navigation and robotic spine system
On February 13, 2026, Medtronic announced FDA clearance of Stealth AXiS for spine surgery. The system combines surgical planning, navigation and robotic assistance in one platform. Its LiveAlign segmental tracking lets surgeons watch spinal motion and alignment during surgery without repeated imaging, the company says. Medtronic says the system is built for both hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. It builds on Medtronic's 2018 purchase of Mazor Robotics and its StealthStation navigation line. The FDA later cleared it for cranial and ENT procedures in March 2026.
Why it's notable: Spine surgery is moving to outpatient centers. A single system that replaces separate navigation and robot units could make robotic spine surgery practical at ambulatory surgery centers, and it sharpens Medtronic's competition with Globus Medical.