Robotic Stroke Surgery: Transatlantic First Could revolutionize Treatment Access
Table of Contents
Remote thrombectomy performed by doctors in Scotland and the US marks a potential turning point in stroke care, offering hope for faster treatment and improved outcomes.
A groundbreaking medical procedure has been completed, potentially ushering in a new era of stroke treatment. Doctors from Scotland and the United states successfully performed what is believed to be the world’s first transatlantic robotic stroke surgery,demonstrating that specialist care can be delivered across vast distances. The procedure, a thrombectomy – the removal of blood clots after a stroke – was initially performed on a human cadaver and then replicated across the Atlantic, offering a glimpse into a future where geographical barriers to critical medical intervention are eliminated.
Pioneering Remote Thrombectomy
The initial phase of the procedure was led by professor Iris Grunwald of the University of Dundee, at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, Scotland. She performed the remote thrombectomy on a human cadaver donated to medical science, while the body was located across the city at the university. Hours later, neurosurgeon ricardo Hanel, based in Jacksonville, Florida, utilized the same technology to perform a similar procedure on a human body in Dundee, a distance of over 4,000 miles (6,400km).
The team has hailed the achievement as a potential “game changer,” contingent upon regulatory approval for use on live patients. “It felt as if we were witnessing history being made,” Professor Grunwald said. A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted, leading to brain cell damage and potentially long-term disability. Rapid restoration of blood flow is crucial, and oxygen flow to the brain. A thrombectomy, involving the use of catheters and wires to remove the clot, is the most effective treatment.However,access to specialists capable of performing this procedure is often limited.
Professor Grunwald explained that the robotic system allows a surgeon to remotely control the catheters and wires typically used in a thrombectomy. A medic present with the patient attaches the necessary equipment, while the surgeon, operating from a distant location, manipulates the instruments in real-time. The surgeon can even operate from a location as convenient as their own home. During the experiments, both Professor Grunwald and Dr. Hanel were able to view live X-rays and monitor progress in real-time, with Professor Grunwald noting that the training required to operate the system was onyl approximately 20 minutes.
The project benefited from the technological expertise of companies like Nvidia and Ericsson, which ensured seamless connectivity for the robotic system. Dr. Hanel emphasized the remarkable speed of the connection,stating,”To operate from the US to Scotland with a 120 millisecond lag – a blink of an eye – is truly remarkable.”
Addressing Critical Shortages and Time Sensitivity
Professor Grunwald, who has received recognition from Innovate UK for her work and serves as the vice president of the World Federation for Interventional Stroke Treatment, highlighted two key challenges in standard thrombectomy care: a global shortage of qualified doctors and the dependence on geographical location for access to treatment. In Scotland, thrombectomy services are currently limited to three centers – Dundee, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
“The treatment is very time sensitive,” professor Grunwald stressed. “Every six minutes delay, you have a 1% less chance of having a good outcome.” This new technology, she believes, offers a solution by removing the limitations of location and preserving crucial time when brain cells are at risk.
Stroke Statistics and Future Trials
Public Health Scotland reported 9,625 ischaemic strokes in Scotland last year. Though,only 212 patients – or 2.2% – received a thrombectomy,while 1,045 received medication to dissolve the clots. across the broader UK, only 3.9% of stroke patients received a thrombectomy in the year ending March 2024.
The team is now preparing for clinical trials next year, with the hope of bringing this life-saving technology to patients in need. Edvardas Satkauskas, CEO of Sentante, the Lithuanian firm that developed the robotics, expressed his excitement, stating, “It feels amazing. sometimes, the future is way closer than we think.”
