Date: Jan 22, 2014 Source: NBC News (
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NEW YORK (AP) - Luna Innovations is selling shape-sensing technology used in medical applications to Intuitive Surgical, which makes a robotic surgical system.
Luna says Intuitive Surgical will make two upfront payments worth a total of $12 million. It could get another $18 million based on technical and commercial milestones. Intuitive Surgical will also hire some of Luna's engineering employees. The Roanoke company says it wants to focus on its fiber optic sensing technology business.
Shares of Luna Innovations Inc. more than doubled in value, rising $1.50 to $2.82 in midday trading today.
Intuitive Surgical is based in Sunnyvale, Calif. Its da Vinci system uses robotic arms, cameras and a remote-control console to help doctors perform surgery with tiny incisions. It is used in gynecological procedures, heart surgeries, prostatectomies, urology procedures, among other operations.
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