Spatium Medical is an innovative spin-off from Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, developing the next generation of insufflation technology.
In September 2024, Spatium Medical, a spin-off from Erasmus MC, successfully completed a €5 million financing round, positioning the company to further develop its innovative smart insufflation technology for laparoscopic surgery. With this investment, Spatium aims to expand its presence in operating rooms across Europe and the United States, bringing personalized and safer surgical procedures to more patients globally.
Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery, also known as keyhole surgery, has been widely adopted since the 1990s as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open surgery. The technique involves small incisions through which surgical instruments and cameras are inserted into the body. One key aspect of the procedure is insufflation, where the abdomen is inflated to create space for the surgeon to operate. This is typically achieved using pressurized CO2 gas, which, while effective, can have drawbacks. Spatium Medical has developed a solution to address these challenges: smart, personalized insufflation.
More Stability and Safety
Spatium Medical’s technology allows the surgeon to adjust insufflation pressure to the specific needs of each patient, reducing physical strain and accelerating recovery. This personalized approach helps maintain a stable surgical workspace, enhancing safety during the procedure. Additionally, the system is designed to sync with the patient’s mechanical ventilation, effectively "breathing with the patient." which reduces the burden on the patient and lowers the risk of complications.
TTO Support
This advanced insufflation system is the culmination of years of research by John Vlot, Willem van Weteringen, and Frank Sterke, in collaboration with Raffaele Dellaca from Politecnico di Milano. In the early stages, the Erasmus MC Technology Transfer Office (TTO) played a crucial role in evaluating and patenting the inventions resulting from this research. The TTO also helped secure development partners and attract investors, paving the way for the founding of Spatium Medical in March 2022. To facilitate the recent financing round, the TTO was instrumental in transferring the patents to Spatium Medical and negotiating the necessary agreements with both the company and Politecnico di Milano.
The successful completion of this financing round will enable Spatium Medical to finalize the development of its smart insufflation device and conduct clinical studies across multiple hospitals. These studies will ultimately lead to the certification of the product, giving patients access to safer, more effective surgical outcomes. Spatium Medical aims to launch this innovative technology in 2026.
Innovation from Rotterdam
Willem Mees van der Bijl, CEO of Spatium Medical: ‘The collaboration between the new and existing investors, the team of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the team of Spatium Medical has been invaluable. Not only in closing this important financing round, but also in sharing knowledge and expertise. This enables us to bring this innovative technology, developed here in Rotterdam, to the point where it will become the next standard of care for minimally invasive surgeries worldwide. Very exciting!’
