In a remarkable advancement for stroke treatment, Professor Iris Grunwald, an esteemed researcher from the University of Dundee, achieved a world-first remote thrombectomy on a human cadaver. This pioneering procedure was performed using the latest robotics from Lithuanian company Sentante. Especially in this high-stakes area of interventional stroke care, it is a dramatic leap forward. Last month, a major new experiment occurred. It illustrated just how far robotics should be developed to achieve major surgical success before patients even develop a stroke.
Throughout the entire procedure, Professor Grunwald operated in tandem with Ricardo Hanel. As a team, they studied real-time X-ray images to better understand the cadaver’s anatomical structures. This real-time imaging was critical. It illustrated the dexterity a robot would need to master the catheters and wires surgeons use in today’s manual thrombectomy procedures. Professor Grunwald noted that it took only 20 minutes of training to become proficient in operating the robotic technology, highlighting its accessibility for medical professionals.
As the featured public health professor, Dr. Andrew Grunwald shared what happens when timely intervention transforms stroke treatment. She stated that every six-minute delay in receiving care diminishes a patient’s chance of having a favorable outcome by 1%. This statistic underscores the real need for more effective treatment options. We need to be committed to doing right by patients, particularly in areas where access to specialty care is a challenge.
Currently, patients in Scotland can receive this advanced procedure at only three locations: Dundee, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Professor Grunwald pointed out that treatment availability often depends on geographical location, which contributes to disparities in patient outcomes across the UK. She shared her dream that robotics in stroke care could play a role in closing these inequities.
She is the vice president of the World Federation for Interventional Stroke Treatment. During her career, she has striven for the development of this important discipline. Her pioneering work has brought her much recognition, including a recent award under Innovate UK’s Young Innovators program. She hopes that using robotic technology for thrombectomy would change the paradigm entirely within stroke treatment. This development might have a significant positive impact on health professional shortage areas.
Looking ahead, Professor Grunwald plans to participate in clinical trials next year to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this new approach in live patients. She remarked, “It feels as if we were witnessing the first glimpse of the future,” reflecting her optimism about the potential benefits of robotics in medical interventions.
The partnership with Professor Grunwald and her team is an important step towards more personalized medical technology and stroke care. By harnessing these new robotic capabilities, they are driving improvements in surgical precision, recovery times, and patient outcomes.
