Medtronic's Stealth AXiS surgical system and Corsano wearable make TIME's 2026 list
Medtronic says two of its products, the Stealth AXiS surgical system and the Corsano multi-parameter wearable, have been named to the TIME Best Inventions of 2026 list. According to the company, the annual award highlights the most impactful new products and ideas of the year, as assessed by TIME editors.
- Medtronic says TIME named the Stealth AXiS surgical system and the Corsano multi-parameter wearable to its Best Inventions of 2026 list.
- Stealth AXiS combines planning, navigation and robotic-assisted execution for spinal, cranial and ENT procedures within the AiBLE ecosystem.
- The Corsano wearable monitors pulse rate, SpO₂, respiration rate, skin temperature and activity, and is distributed by Medtronic in the U.S. and Western Europe.
- The wearable is intended only as an adjunct in patient assessment and not for high-acuity environments.
Planning, navigation and robotics in one platform
Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT) said the Stealth AXiS™ surgical system was recognized for bringing planning, navigation and robotic-assisted execution together in a single platform designed for complex procedures. The company says the system addresses a familiar problem in surgery, where technologies for planning, imaging, navigation and execution are often fragmented across multiple systems.
Stealth AXiS™ is built within Medtronic's AiBLE™ smart ecosystem and supports spinal, cranial, and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) procedures. According to Medtronic, it integrates real-time data, advanced imaging and AI-based capabilities into the surgical workflow to create a more connected approach across the surgical journey.
Michael Carter, president of the Cranial and Spinal Technologies operating unit within the Neuroscience Portfolio at Medtronic, said: "Our goal is to help surgical teams work with greater connectivity and intelligence by bringing planning, navigation, and robotics together in one integrated platform."
A wearable for monitoring beyond the bedside
The Corsano™ multi-parameter wearable was recognized for extending clinical visibility beyond traditional bedside monitoring. Medtronic describes it as a lightweight, tetherless device designed to capture key vital parameters and trending information to inform clinical decision making.
The wearable is manufactured by Corsano Health B.V. and distributed in the U.S. and Western Europe by Medtronic. It gives clinicians access to patient data in near real time, from the hospital to the home setting. The medical-grade device monitors pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂), respiration rate, skin temperature and activity.
Medtronic points to a review published in Patient Safety in Surgery in 2014, which it cites as finding that spot checking alone can leave patients unmonitored 96% of the time. The company says the wearable helps clinicians get timely information while allowing patients to stay mobile and comfortable.
Kate Benedict, president of the Acute Care & Monitoring operating unit within the Medical Surgical Portfolio at Medtronic, said the wearable "meaningfully expands our portfolio of wearable patient monitoring solutions."
Limits of use and what it means
The release carries clear restrictions for the wearable. Medtronic states it should not be used as the sole basis for diagnosis or therapy and is intended only as an adjunct in patient assessment. It is not intended for high-acuity environments, for acutely ill cardiac patients with potential to develop life-threatening arrhythmias, or for SpO₂ monitoring in conditions of high motion or low perfusion.
Corsano Health says its system holds CE-MDR medical certification and FDA clearance.
For Medtronic, the dual listing supports its pitch of connected technologies that help clinicians make more informed decisions and improve care delivery. The release does not give pricing, rollout dates or new performance data for either product, so the recognition itself is the news. For hospitals, it signals the direction of two product lines: integrated, AI-supported surgical systems and continuous, wearable monitoring that follows patients from ward to home.
