The Future of Surgical Precision: Novuson Surgical Inc. is Rewriting the Rules of Electrosurgery

In a brightly lit operating room, where every second counts and every millimeter matters, technology that improves precision and safety is nothing short of revolutionary. At the intersection of advanced biomedical research and innovative medical device engineering stands Novuson Surgical Inc., a Bothell Washington-based company that is poised to redefine how surgeons perform procedures. Founded in 2014 by biomedical engineer and entrepreneur Dr. Stuart B. Mitchell, Novuson is not only introducing a new chapter in surgical technology — it is delivering the first substantive innovation in advanced energy devices in over 25 years.

What sets Novuson apart is its Direct Therapeutic Ultrasound (DTU) technology, a groundbreaking system that enables surgeons to cauterize and cut tissue without the smoke, thermal damage, and safety concerns commonly associated with traditional electrosurgical devices. With regulatory clearance and commercialization in sight by late 2025 or early 2026, Novuson is primed to disrupt a market that has long relied on legacy technologies.

From Research to Revolution

Dr. Mitchell’s journey toward founding Novuson is steeped in decades of cutting-edge biomedical research. With a career spanning over 30 years, his expertise in tissue response to mechanical stimuli and acoustic hemostasis became the foundation for Novuson’s mission. While working on High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) studies at the University of Washington, Mitchell and his team became acutely aware of the pervasive issues with existing surgical energy devices.

“We noticed the significant amount of smoke and odor generated by electrosurgical tools,” Mitchell recalls. “Surgeons told us it was a daily nuisance — something they just dealt with. That’s when the idea took shape. We saw a way to not only reduce collateral tissue damage but also improve safety for both patients and surgical teams.”

 Thus, Novuson Surgical Inc. was born, backed by NIH grants and driven by a vision of cleaner, safer, and more efficient surgery.

What Makes Novuson Different

At the core of Novuson’s innovation is its Direct Therapeutic Ultrasound system. Unlike radiofrequency (RF) and harmonic technologies that use electric current or mechanical vibrations to cut and coagulate tissue — both of which come with considerable heat and smoke generation — DTU uses focused ultrasound waves. This technique delivers unmatched precision, allowing for only 0.25mm of thermal spread, a critical improvement when operating near nerves or other delicate structures.

The benefits extend beyond reduced thermal damage. Traditional RF devices increase tissue impedance as cauterization progresses, necessitating more power and creating a feedback loop of inefficiency. Moreover, passing electrical current through a patient introduces risks — accidental burns, fires in oxygen-rich environments, and arcing that can damage surgical tools or surroundings.

“With DTU, there’s no electrical current passing through the patient,” Mitchell explains. “There’s no smoke, no charred tissue, and no unpredictable arcing. It’s a complete shift in how we think about surgical energy.”

Targeting a Safer, More Efficient Surgical Suite

Novuson’s technology is particularly appealing to ambulatory surgical centers and robotic surgery platforms, two sectors known for prioritizing minimally invasive, high-efficiency procedures. These centers aim to reduce surgical times, minimize patient recovery periods, and cut down on operating room costs. Novuson’s DTU instruments align perfectly with these objectives.

But the vision doesn’t stop at individual devices. Novuson’s team is working to integrate DTU into robotic surgical systems, a rapidly growing field where precision and safety are paramount. By partnering with surgical robotics companies, Novuson aims to embed its technology into the very systems that will define the future of medicine.

A Serial Innovator at the Helm

The force behind this innovation is Dr. Stuart B. Mitchell — a name well known in the biomedical engineering community. In addition to leading Novuson, Mitchell has conducted significant research into cell-tissue interactions with mechanical forces, synthetic scaffold design for tissue engineering, and ultrasound-induced stem cell activation. His work in acoustic hemostasis has been presented at more than 35 international conferences and earned him leadership roles in NIH-funded projects and the DARPA Deep Bleeder Acoustic Coagulation (DBAC) initiative.

Mitchell’s entrepreneurial track record includes securing over $10 million in funding for Novuson, prototyping five platform devices,  and overseeing development of production-ready units currently preparing for regulatory approval. He also led the research to obtain FDA clearance for an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) for treating pancreatic cancer pain, a milestone that underscores his deep understanding of navigating regulatory landscapes.

“I’ve always approached biomedical engineering as a way to directly solve clinical problems,” says Mitchell. “Novuson is the culmination of everything I’ve worked on — it brings science and surgery together in the most meaningful way.”

Charting a Commercial Future

With its first products on the verge of market launch, Novuson is transitioning from R&D to commercialization. The company’s dual business model includes direct sales of minimally invasive surgical instruments and strategic licensing partnerships for integration into surgical robotics. This approach not only diversifies revenue streams but also ensures the broadest possible adoption of its DTU technology.

Industry observers are taking note. As value-based care models dominate healthcare delivery, technologies that improve outcomes while reducing complications are gaining traction. Novuson’s promise to lower surgical risks, eliminate smoke hazards, and streamline operations makes it an attractive proposition for hospital systems and outpatient centers alike.

Redefining Surgical Standards

The significance of Novuson’s technology extends far beyond engineering novelty. It represents a tangible improvement in patient safety, surgeon comfort, and clinical outcomes. By eliminating smoke and minimizing tissue damage, DTU devices could reduce post-operative complications, lower infection risks, and improve the working conditions inside operating rooms.

Moreover, as healthcare systems around the world grapple with workforce shortages and rising surgical demands, technologies that make procedures safer, faster, and more precise will become indispensable. Novuson’s innovation may soon be the gold standard in surgical energy — a new benchmark that others in the field must strive to match.

Looking Ahead

With regulatory submissions underway and production capabilities in place, Novuson’s next chapter promises rapid growth. If cleared for commercial use, DTU devices could quickly find a foothold across hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and high-tech surgical suites globally.

Mitchell remains focused on the broader mission: to improve patient care through safer, smarter tools. “The ultimate goal,” he says, “is to make surgery better for everyone — the patient, the surgeon, and the entire healthcare system.”

For an industry that has seen incremental progress over decades, Novuson represents more than a medical device company. It is a paradigm shift in how energy-based surgery is performed, one pulse of ultrasound at a time.

Company Information:

Novuson Surgical Inc.

Founded: 2014

Website: www.novuson.com

Email: sbmitchell@novuson.com

President & CEO: Dr. Stuart B. Mitchell

Location:  Bothell, Washington

Target Markets: Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Surgical Robotics, Surgeons

For inquiries about investment, partnerships, or product information, contact Dr. Stuart Mitchell directly through the company’s website or email.