The Quiet Takeover in the Operating Theatre
While we’ve all been distracted, robots have been steadily making their way into our hospitals. Intuitive Surgical and its da Vinci system have, without much fanfare, completely changed complex surgery. Surgeons now use robotic arms to perform procedures with a level of precision the human hand simply cannot match. This means smaller incisions, less trauma for the patient, and faster recovery times.
From an investor’s point of view, the business model is beautiful in its simplicity. The company doesn’t just sell a hospital a very expensive robot. It then sells the disposable instruments and accessories for every single procedure. It’s the classic razor and blade model, creating a stream of recurring revenue that is the envy of the medical world. This isn't a bet on a future trend, it's an investment in a revolution that is already well underway. Trying to pick individual winners in these fields can feel like a fool's errand, however. A more pragmatic approach, I think, is to look at the broader themes. A collection like the Future Tech: World Changing Ideas basket, for instance, bundles these ideas together, which may help spread the risk.
