Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Acquires Robotic Platformfor Treating Cancer Tumours And Becomes the Fastest-Adopting Center with more than 25 patients already treated
Leeds and Montpellier, December 4, 2025 – Leeds Teaching Hospitals has acquired Quantum Surgical’s Epione® robotic platform and has become the fastest-growing center in terms of procedures, having already treated more than 25 patients in less than 10 weeks. This innovative technology is used to treat early-stage cancerous tumours.
Quantum Surgical, a company specializing in robotics and AI, develops the Epione® robotic platform. It assists physicians in performing percutaneous tumour ablations, where one or more needles are inserted through the skin to destroy the tumour. This minimally invasive treatment provides patients with a safe and effective alternative to surgery.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals patients have benefited from these percutaneous ablation techniques for over 20 years.
Thanks to Epione, Leeds Teaching Hospitals can now offer patients with liver and kidney cancer this robotic-assisted technology. Patients treated with this new robotics technology can benefit from less post-operative pain, shorter stays in hospital and potentially curative outcomes, recovering at home in a few days.
Paul Woodwards, 67 from Leeds, recently underwent the procedure to treat liver cancer. The tumour in his liver was broken down using the robot-guided procedure and he was able to be home within four days with minimal discomfort. He will now be monitored for up to 10 years to see if the cancer has been successfully treated.
“I feel very lucky to have been offered this procedure. It was brilliant to be at the forefront of such cutting-edge treatment. I was happy to be able to come home and recover within such a short space of time without needing to have a long hospital stay.”
“The staff have been absolutely wonderful, every member of the team has looked after me, checking up on me and reassuring me through my recovery afterwards. I am hopeful that other patients and families facing a cancer diagnosis will be able to benefit from this technology and to have more accurate treatments in the future.”
Dr. James Lenton and his team are convinced of the added value Epione brings, having already treated more than 25 patients. This makes Leeds the hospital with the fastest rollout in performing procedures.
Dr. James Lenton, Consultant Interventional Radiologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, explains: “Utilising the Epione system is helping us to deliver care and perform less invasive more precise treatment. This reduces disruption to patients’ wellbeing and gives shorter hospital stays allowing us to manage more cases. We are pleased to have integrated the robot into our practice and to have already treated so many patients with it.”
Dr Magnus Harrison, Chief Medical Officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals says: “At Leeds Teaching Hospitals, our aim is to offer patients the most advanced and innovative treatments while improving their comfort and overall experience. Acquiring the Epione system is a strategic step in that mission, and we are proud to offer this new therapeutic option to our patients”.
“We are very proud of how quickly the Epione robotic system has been adopted at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. Dr. Lenton and his team’s rapid uptake of the platform clearly demonstrates its added value: it streamlines workflow, enhances precision, and enables the treatment of a greater number of patients. Their leadership sets an example for physicians across the UK” declares Bertin Nahum, President and co-founder of Quantum Surgical.
Epione® device is CE marked for abdomen, chest and musculoskeletal structures indications, and FDA cleared for abdominal ablation indication. Over 1,200 patients have already been treated in Europe and the United States.