IV- Making History, Together: Behind LUCA®’s First Human Surgery

On a cold morning in Ghent, Belgium, at UZ Ghent Hospital, something remarkable happened.

LUCA®, AcuSurgical’s robotic platform for retinal surgery, performed its first human procedure — and it performed it well.

For those watching behind the scenes, time seemed to pause — a collective breath held in quiet awe. But for the team who had imagined, built, tested, and refined LUCA® over years, this wasn’t just a moment. It was the culmination of tireless effort, hundreds of simulations, countless design iterations, and one unshakable belief:

We could change the standard of care in retinal surgery.

From Idea to Operating Room

What does it take to bring a surgical robot from concept to clinic?

It takes cross-functional dedication — from the first sketch to the sterile lights of the OR. Engineers fine-tuning submillimetric movements. Designers ensuring intuitive ergonomics. Clinical experts aligning workflows between human hands and robotic precision. Leaders holding the vision long before it becomes reality.

LUCA® wasn’t born in a lab. It was built through collaboration.

After years of development, the team was ready. But just months before the first surgery, a major technical issue surfaced — one that could have delayed the entire clinical trial schedule. The pressure was high. The risk was real.

But the team didn’t panic. They reorganized, adapted, and solved the issue — in just a few days. 

“The First-in-Human trial was the result of collective resilience,” one team member shared. “It belongs to all of us.”

The Final Stretch

With pre-clinical validation complete, the final weeks were about one thing: details.

For the system engineers, it meant checking every cable, every joint, and every feedback response — under surgical conditions.

“We spent countless hours running stress tests and long-duration cycles,” explains Julien.  “The goal was reliability over time, not just performance on day one.”

For the industrialization team, it meant guaranteeing mechanical consistency — so LUCA® wouldn’t just work once, but perform flawlessly in every case.

For the clinical and operations teams, it was all about integration: making LUCA® a seamless part of the operating room.

“For me, it was about On a cold morning in Ghent, Belgium, at UZ Ghent Hospital, something remarkable happened.

LUCA®, AcuSurgical’s robotic platform for retinal surgery, performed its first human procedure — and it performed it well.

For those watching behind the scenes, time seemed to pause — a collective breath held in quiet awe. But for the team who had imagined, built, tested, and refined LUCA® over years, this wasn’t just a moment. It was the culmination of tireless effort, hundreds of simulations, countless design iterations, and one unshakable belief:

We could change the standard of care in retinal surgery.

From Idea to Operating Room

What does it take to bring a surgical robot from concept to clinic?

It takes cross-functional dedication — from the first sketch to the sterile lights of the OR. Engineers fine-tuning submillimetric movements. Designers ensuring intuitive ergonomics. Clinical experts aligning workflows between human hands and robotic precision. Leaders holding the vision long before it becomes reality.

LUCA® wasn’t born in a lab. It was built through collaboration.

After years of development, the team was ready. But just months before the first surgery, a major technical issue surfaced — one that could have delayed the entire clinical trial schedule. The pressure was high. The risk was real.

But the team didn’t panic. They reorganized, adapted, and solved the issue — in just a few days. 

“The First-in-Human trial was the result of collective resilience,” one team member shared. “It belongs to all of us.”

The Final Stretch

With pre-clinical validation complete, the final weeks were about one thing: details.

For the system engineers, it meant checking every cable, every joint, and every feedback response — under surgical conditions.

“We spent countless hours running stress tests and long-duration cycles,” explains Julien.  “The goal was reliability over time, not just performance on day one.”

For the industrialization team, it meant guaranteeing mechanical consistency — so LUCA® wouldn’t just work once, but perform flawlessly in every case.

For the clinical and operations teams, it was all about integration: making LUCA® a seamless part of the operating room.

“For me, it was about workflow,” recalls Christoph Spuhler “Would LUCA® feel intuitive — or awkward — in the hands of a surgeon? I think we got it right. It felt natural. That’s when I knew we were ready.”

The Day It Happened

At UZ Ghent, the team arrived with excitement and tension in equal measure.

Florine, overseeing system readiness, rehearsed every step with the OR staff: “We stayed up late the night before, running through the setup again and again. I just wanted to be sure we’d done everything possible.”

Julien, following remotely, remembers: “We couldn’t watch it live. I was nervous. But when we got the outcome… I was just proud. It was a success”

Antoine tracked every key milestone — from docking to first movements. When the instruments were successfully inserted, he messaged three words: “We are in.”

And when Dr. Nerinckx Fanny confirmed the vitrectomy was complete, emotion overtook the room.

“We were still inside when she said it was a success,” one team member recalled. “But when we stepped out, the feeling hit us. I literally jumped for joy.” she later added: “This is one of the proudest moments of my professional life.”

The Outcome

• 7 surgeries 

• 0 device-related adverse events 

• Outstanding stability and surgeon satisfaction

LUCA® had proven it could safely perform delicate retinal procedures.

But beyond the clinical milestones, the true success was human.

It was in how the team overcame setbacks. How nurses, engineers, and clinicians collaborated in real time. How feedback came not just from surgeons — but from the OR staff managing instruments and ensuring safety.

“The OR nurses gave us essential insights,” Pierre Antoine said. “They helped us improve flow, safety protocols, and emergency responses. We’re deeply grateful for that.”

A Turning Point — Not the End

The First-in-Human (FIH) study wasn’t the finish line. It was the launchpad.

LUCA® is now entering its next chapter:

• Larger-scale clinical studies

• CE and FDA certification

• Integration of advanced surgical features

• Expansion to broader hospital use

“I see this as just the beginning,” says Christoph. “In ten years, when surgeons look back, they’ll realize how limited they were. The micron era of surgery is here.”

The People Behind the Platform

This milestone was made possible by the extraordinary people of AcuSurgical. Engineers, clinical leaders, and operations experts who made LUCA® a reality:

• Florine Van Cappel – System Engineering 

• Antoine MOREL – Surgical Robotics 

• Julien GARCIA – Industrialization 

• Charlène Braun – Clinical 

• Pierre-Antoine FOREST – Clinical Applications

 ... and so many others working quietly, but relentlessly, in the background.

Follow AcuSurgical to see what’s next — and be part of what’s possible.