In a remarkable advancement in medical technology, surgeons from Dundee and the United States successfully performed a world-first stroke surgery using a robotic system developed by the Lithuanian firm Sentante. The innovative procedure involved a thrombectomy conducted on a human cadaver, demonstrating the potential for remote surgical interventions that could reshape stroke treatment accessibility.
The operation took place in Dundee. Professor Iris Grunwald deftly piloted Sentante’s robot with the help of Dr. Ricardo Hanel, who flew it from the other side of the world, nearly 4,000 miles away in Florida. This unparalleled operation highlighted the robot’s extraordinary potential. It showed that we can conduct highly complex, high-risk medical protocols across enormous expanses.
Sentante’s robot mimics the movements of the surgeon operating it, providing high precision when intervening with a technique never before seen. The team felt that using live X-ray technology in the experiment allowed for real-time monitoring of progress to be impactful. This configuration allowed Professor Grunwald and Dr. Hanel to monitor the process and iteratively tweak targeting parameters as required. The unique operation, called a “living cadaver” transplant, used a cadaver that had been donated to medical science. This body had been embalmed and died in the last three years.
Professor Grunwald raised to spotlight this monumental advancement in technology. He thinks it would give fairer access to specialist stroke care for people right across the UK.
“This technology would now provide a new way where you’re not depending on where you live – saving the valuable minutes where your brain is otherwise dying.” – Prof. Iris Grunwald
It was an easy operation to carry out. Professor Grunwald was so impressed that the robot only required 20 minutes of training to use it effectively. This fundamental simplicity could provide the basis for more widespread adoption and use in clinical practice.
As many know, stroke treatment is highly time-sensitive, and patients who experience significant delays can suffer irreparable harm. Professor Grunwald pointed out that “every six minutes delay, you have a 1% less chance of having a good outcome,” underscoring the urgency of timely intervention.
Dr. Ricardo Hanel shared his appreciation for the technology that made it possible to operate such distances away with only 5 seconds of latency time.
“To operate from the US to Scotland with a 120 millisecond lag – a blink of an eye – is truly remarkable.” – Dr. Ricardo Hanel
This technology allows for so much more than smarter surgery. It can address the inequities that already exist in stroke treatment. Millions of people—particularly in rural or underserved areas—have significant barriers to accessing timely in-office care, worsening existing health disparities. Robotic systems can be operated at a distance. These advancements combine to bring the most expert stroke treatment to a broader range of patients.
Sentante’s robot will start clinical trials next year. This is the first step on the road to its full acceptance into the day-to-day practice of medicine. It’s no wonder that healthcare professionals have begun to take a serious interest in the practice of robotic surgery. This trailblazing initiative is a remarkable demonstration of innovation and industry in medical science.
