About the
SATA Technology
Technology
The Shaft-Actuated Tip Articulation (SATA) mechanism is a shaft-based mechanism that enables tip articulation by a clever pin-slot mechanism.
This patented design is unique in its actuation, as it isn’t cable-driven. The cable-less design enables quick instrument disassembly into an outer shaft, middle shaft, and inner rod with end-effector.
With the instrument disassembled, all parts can be cleaned and sterilized. After a quick reassembly, the instrument is ready for reuse.
This unique modular SATA approach therefore features both:
- Advanced tip articulation: 7 DOFs in total, with 4 DOFs tip articulation (tip bending, tip rotation, open/close tip and instrument rotation)
- Reusability: the modular shaft mechanism allows disassembly, full sterilization, and reassembly for reuse.
The patented SATA mechanism is unique and versatile. Its stiff and hollow shaft design can be implemented in numerous surgical fields.
SATA Medical focuses its development primarly on reusable, articulating instruments for laparoscopic and robotic surgery.
The Origins of SATA
Developed at the Technical University of Delft, the concept originated from research. The technology was invented by Associate Professor Tim Horeman, and further refined by a team of engineers and medical experts. By leveraging Delft’s strong foundation in precision engineering and innovation, SATA Medical transformed a research-driven idea into a scalable solution. Today, this breakthrough technology forms the backbone of SATA Medical’s mission to reduce surgical waste, lower healthcare costs, and enhance surgical precision worldwide.
The unique shaft-driven SATA mechanism, unlike cable-driven systems, enables steerability and reusability.
Cable-less, shaft mechanism
Traditional cable-driven instruments face limitations due to sterilization and wear issues. SATA’s cable-free, shaft-driven technology is robust, stiff and hollow.
Precision & articulation
SATA instruments offer 7 degrees of freedom (DOF) for precise (tip) articulation.
Modular design
The hollow shafts are disassembled in seconds into an outer shaft, middle shaft, and inner rod with end-effector.
Sterilization
With the instrument disassembled, all parts can be cleaned and sterilized.
Versatile
The SATA mechanism can be adopted to various surgical fields. Current developments are focused on laparoscopic and robotic surgery.
The modular and hollow shaft-design allows the use of various end-effectors.
Surgerical techniques using articulating SATA instrument
Laparoscopy
Keyhole surgery, multi-port and reduced port surgery
Single Port Surgery
Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS/SPA)
(v)NOTES
Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery
GILLS
Gas Insufflation Less Laparoscopic (GAL) Surgery
Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery, robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery
Surgerical procedures using articulating SATA instrument
General Surgery
Hernia repair, Gastrectomy
Gynaecology
Endometriosis removal, Hysterectomy
Colorectal Surgery
Appendectomy, Lower anterior resection, Total mesorectal excision
Other surgeries
Cholecystectomy, Thyroidectomy, Lobectomy, Prostatectomy
Surgerical techniques using articulating SATA instrument
Laparoscopy
Keyhole surgery, multi-port and reduced port surgery.
Single Port Surgery
Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS/SPA)
(v)NOTES
Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery
GILLS
Gas Insufflation Less Laparoscopic (GAL) Surgery
Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery, robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery
Surgerical procedures using articulating SATA instrument
General Surgery
Hernia repair, Gastrectomy
Gynaecology
Endometriosis removal, Hysterectomy
Colorectal Surgery
Appendectomy, Lower anterior resection, Total mesorectal excision
Other surgeries
Cholecystectomy, Thyroidectomy, Lobectomy, Prostatectomy...