Surgeons in Dundee, Scotland, and Jacksonville, Florida, this week performed the world’s first transatlantic stroke surgery. To pull off this astonishing feat, they used cutting-edge robotic technology created by the Lithuanian company Sentante. This groundbreaking procedure employed remote thrombectomy techniques. As a result, a physician might be able to practice at a distance – a breakthrough in stroke care and other fields.
The Sentante machine was key throughout the operation. This enables surgeons’ delicate hand movements to be exactly mirrored on an instrumented robotic system that is directly interfaced with the patient. This new and unusual technique makes it possible to monitor the whole procedure in real time while receiving live feedback from an X-ray in situ. Her surgery took place on [insert date]. This annual event highlights the incredible ways this technology has the potential to transform the delivery of stroke care, even across the farthest distances.
Sentante’s technology has the potential to help solve the world’s shortage of doctors trained to perform thrombectomies. With this machine in their toolbelt, healthcare providers have the potential to see more patients without the burden of geographical limitations. According to Edvardas Satkauskas, CEO of Sentante, the new industry use for which this technology has been developed is very close to his heart.
“Sometimes, the future is way closer than we think.” – Edvardas Satkauskas
Throughout the operation, a physician based in Tampa operated the Sentante robot that was connected to a patient in nearby Dundee. This new capability means you’ll regularly have immediate access to the highest level of expert care. This further serves to reduce disparities in stroke treatment in areas where access to specialized care is often difficult to obtain.
According to Prof. Grunwald, one of the procedure’s surgeons, it required just 20 minutes of training for doctors. This brief training period was more than enough for them to get comfortable and proficient with the Sentante technology. He explained the critical factor of time in treating strokes, reinforcing that time lost can mean a life lost or a lifetime of disability.
“Every six minutes delay, you have a 1% less chance of having a good outcome.” – Prof Grunwald
The Sentante machine’s timesaving capabilities proved invaluable in one such emergency situation—in which every second counts—saving the ER precious minutes that sometimes can mean life or death. Prof. Grunwald remarked that this technology might revolutionize access to stroke treatment, stating it “could make expert stroke treatment available to everyone.”
The Sentante technology documents the path of the operating surgeon during surgeries. This unique element intensifies the training of future medical professionals. It also ensures that best practices get shared around and consistently implemented.
The innovative surgery marks an exciting leap of telemedicine and robotics in public health. Sentante hopes to enter clinical trials sometime next year. Their ultimate goal is to continue to perfect their technology and apply it to other areas of medicine.
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