We congratulate Professor Iris Grunwald and Dr. Ricardo Hanel for this truly ground-breaking accomplishment. Together, they performed the world’s first remote stroke procedure using cutting edge robotics! Surgeons did a life-changing thrombectomy to remove blood clots following the stroke. They carried out this innovative procedure on donated human cadavers at a center in Dundee, Scotland.
The experiment included the use of four human cadavers, each who have died within the last three years and then embalmed. By using fluid that replicates the viscosity of actual human blood, the researchers were able to test conditions that were much more realistic for the thrombectomy. Throughout the procedure, Prof. Grunwald and Dr. Hanel took advantage of live X-ray imaging. This new technology helped them tremendously, both getting into the surgery and conquering it with deadly precision.
“The patient would be in a hospital operating room while the doctor could carry out the procedure using the Sentante machine from anywhere,” explained Prof. Grunwald. This advancement in stroke treatment is even bigger! This is a particular boon to those who live in non-urban or rural communities, who are frequently affected by barriers to specialty care.
Prof. Grunwald explained that providing treatment as quickly as possible in acute stroke is crucial. She said, “With every six minutes delay, you are 1% less likely to do well.…This is a testament to all that robotic surgery can do to shorten treatment times and enhance patient outcomes.
So what this technology does beyond pure convenience. It represents a profound shift in how we’re able to provide acute stroke care globally. This technology provides a unique solution that liberates you from the limitations of where you live. It saves those crucial minutes when your brain is otherwise checking out.
The challenge has won a fair bit of national attention with its remarkable technical accomplishments. It brings the hope of democratizing access to breakthrough, life-saving treatments. Juliet Bouverie, the chief executive of the Stroke Association, painted a very stark picture. She said, “For too long, patients who reside in distant rural and other remote areas have been denied access to thrombectomy. Most importantly, she reinforced how important it is to have equitable access to life-saving medical surgeries.
Regardless of the outcome, we’re proud of the team for having taken on this important experiment. This result sets the stage for larger trials they hope to begin next year. As for the university partners, Prof. Grunwald and Dr. Hanel are very hopeful about the wider applications of this technology. They think it has the potential to make a revolutionary impact on stroke care.
