The San Mateo, California-based company said Focalist combines handheld robotics, real-time ultrasound imaging and software that supports touchscreen targeting, robotic needle positioning and continuous depth-tracking. Mendaera plans a limited launch with select medical institutions in 2025, starting in urology procedures such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy, with full commercialization expected in 2026.

“Precise placement of needles to perform a wide range of procedures — organ access, biopsies, vascular access, or therapy delivery, as examples — is a very challenging, but foundational technique that underpins most patient care journeys,” CEO Josh DeFonzo said in a news release. “Our mission is to ensure that these procedures are delivered safely and efficiently across the healthcare system by enabling more providers with the confidence needed to perform these techniques. Robotics have been shown to increase provider capabilities in complex procedures, and we intend to demonstrate that the same can be true in everyday care.”