Xometry Helps Galen Robotics Build Medical Robots with Prototype Manufacturing

At a Glance

Challenge: Developing Ultra-Precision Medical Devices

A survey conducted by late Johns Hopkins PhD candidate Dr. Kevin Olds among practicing physicians showed that no existing device on the market could prevent or mitigate hand tremors during ear, nose and throat (ENT) procedures.ENT surgeons often face operational uncertainty when navigating microscopic cameras or performing manual visual inspection on hard-to-reach and sensitive anatomical areas. Even minor hand tremors can pose significant safety risks to patients.

Upon the recommendation of Dr. Russell Taylor, Director of the Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics, Dr. Kevin Olds began developing a robotic system capable of stabilizing surgeons’ hands during laryngology, otology, and other procedures around sensitive anatomical structures.

The robot is engineered to move with flexible range of motion that aligns with natural human hand movement while maintaining stable positioning.Dubbed “cooperative control mode” by Galen Robotics, the system integrates force sensors to detect how surgeons apply pressure to surgical tools, then generates subtle counteracting force to stabilize involuntary tremors during operation.The robot also provides critical coordinate positioning data to support surgical navigation.

As the design evolved from desktop prototypes to clinical-grade versions, more graduate and undergraduate researchers partnered with medical device startup Galen Robotics Inc.

Partnering with Xometry for Medical-Certified Components

Throughout the entire development cycle, the team collaborated with Xometry to produce robot parts for both prototyping and final deployment.Galen Robotics used Xometry’s Instant Quoting Engine℠ to receive quotes in seconds, greatly reducing time wasted on repetitive communication.

Crucially, Xometry offers an extensive selection of sterilizable and medically validated manufacturing methods including SLS 3D printing, CNC machining and sheet metal fabrication;medical-grade materials such as Aluminum 6061, Aluminum 7050, Stainless Steel 4041, and Nylon 12;as well as production certifications including ISO 13485, ISO 9001, UL, ITAR, and ISO 7 / ISO 8 medical cleanroom compliance.

The robot consists of a wide variety of components, ranging from sensor mounts to end-effector housings, requiring high-mix, low-volume production runs.To source qualified manufacturers for this diverse part portfolio, Xometry leverages its network of over 3,000 suppliers across the United States, delivering production at competitive cost and shortened lead times.This on-demand model allows the startup to maintain low inventory flexibility and scale production up or down according to project needs.

Yunus Sevimli, Lead Hardware Engineer, worked closely with Xometry application engineers to integrate actionable design-for-manufacturability feedback into component designs.

“We appreciate the thoughtful customer service Xometry provides. Our main point of contact, Bobby, always helps us resolve issues efficiently and even connects us with technical experts when needed. Their support has been invaluable in helping us deliver high-quality parts.”

— Yunus Sevimli

Lead Hardware Engineer

Galen & Xometry: Partnership for High-Precision Turnkey Components

Supported by Xometry’s flexible on-demand manufacturing services, the Galen Robotics team obtained perfectly fitted parts with precisely aligned tapped holes and complex geometric interfaces for tight assembly.These medical-grade components, manufactured from inert and biocompatible certified materials, together form a fully functional medical device.The Galen robot is currently under FDA review and has achieved expected stabilization performance in trial testing.

Integrating multiple manufacturing processes into one robotic design enables Galen’s engineering team to create geometrically optimized robots precisely customized for clinical end use.Xometry simplifies the entire workflow of quoting, ordering and sourcing multi-process parts, eliminating the need to track and coordinate with multiple separate suppliers.Galen Robotics continues its long-term partnership with Xometry as it iterates on the next generation of its surgical robot, citing reliable customer support, consistent part quality and diverse manufacturing capabilities as key reasons for ongoing collaboration.

The Galen Robotics system is evolving into a powerful platform that helps surgeons perform procedures with greater confidence.With manufacturing expertise and full-service support from Xometry, the team has built a solution poised to make a profound impact across the healthcare industry.

“We integrate components made through many different manufacturing processes into one robotic system, which makes Xometry extremely valuable as a one-stop solution provider.”

— Yunus Sevimli

Lead Hardware Engineer