Urumqi, China — On March 1^st, 2022, the R-ONE^® Vascular Interventional Surgical Robot (referred to as “R-ONE^®”) introduced by Cathbot (Shanghai) Robot Co., Ltd. (referred to as “Cathbot”), a joint venture established in China by Shanghai MicroPort MedBot (Group) Co., Ltd. (referred to as “MicroPort^® MedBot^®”) and Robocath S.A.S, France, had successfully completed a robot-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (referred to as “PCI”) at Xinjiang Uigur Municipal People's Hospital. The surgery was performed by Prof. Yining Yang, Director of Xinjiang Uigur Municipal People's Hospital, together with his team. This is the first robot-assisted PCI surgery completed by R-ONE^® in Northwest China.

The patient visited Xinjiang Uigur Municipal People's Hospital due to chest pain, and examination revealed severe stenosis at the distal segment of the circumflex branch requiring PCI treatment. After much deliberate evaluation by Director Yining Yang and his team as well as full communication with the patient and family members about the surgical plan, it was decided to perform R-ONE^® robot-assisted PCI. During the surgery, Prof. Yining Yang operated the handle to respectively control the guidewire, balloon and stent reaching to designated position. The sub-millimeter level progressive mode on R-ONE^® could fine tune the positions of the guidewire and catheter, accurately deploy the stent to cover the lesion. The whole procedure was accurate and efficient. Post-op angiography showed zero residual stenosis with good blood flow. Meanwhile, based on the radiation dosimeter data, it was found that the radiation dose onto the operator was significantly reduced in comparison to the conventional PCI.

R-ONE^® is an innovative robot product being developed for the pan-vascular racing track by MicroPort^® MedBot^®. The sub-millimeter level progressive mode may help operator precisely locate the lesion and effectively reduce the risk of postoperative complications. With a short learning curve, an operator can take advantage of the mechanical assistance operation on the R-ONE^® Vascular Interventional Surgical Robot to evade the limitations of the traditional manual methods. During procedure, the consumables like balloon and stent may be quickly exchanged via the guidewire locking system in the robot.

R-ONE^® Vascular Interventional Surgical Robot

Prof. Yining Yang commented that: “Standardized operations are available on the R-ONE^® Vascular Interventional Surgical Robot, so that the operator can get started very easily. By leveraging the R-ONE^® Vascular Interventional Surgical Robot, the operator may sit behind the radiation-proof control station and conduct operations like guidewire delivery, balloon and stent deployment, etc., which not only improve the accuracy when placing balloon and stent, but also reduce the radiation taken by the operator during surgery. The completion of the first robot-assisted PCI by R-ONE^® at our hospital also signifies that a new era of more intelligent and precise cardiovascular intervention is coming.”

Dr. Philippe Bencteux, Chairman and Founder of Robocath, said: “The first R-ONE^® robot-assisted vascular intervention successfully done at Xinjiang Uigur Municipal People's Hospital further drives the implementation of R-ONE^® localization strategy in China. Thanks to Prof. Yining Yang and his team for conducting this clinical study and for their great recognition of the product in clinical application. In addition, I am deeply impressed by the rapid learning and comprehension ability of Chinese physicians. This also reflects the fact that R-ONE^® is providing operators with easy-to-operate clinical solution. We are looking forward to completing clinical trial in China ASAP to benefit more physicians and patients.”

Dr. Chao He, President of MicroPort^® MedBot^®, said: “I would like to thank Prof. Yining Yang, Director of Xinjiang Uigur Municipal People's Hospital, and his team, for their trust and support for R-ONE^®. This case is the first robot-assisted PCI completed in Northwest China. Vascular intervention surgical robot represents the development direction of precision and accuracy. The use of R-ONE^® has narrowed the healthcare gap in regional differences and expanded quality medical resources into lower-tier cities, enabling more primary hospitals and physicians to take advantage of new technology to benefit more patients.”

Founded in 2009, Robocath S.A.S is mainly engaged in R&D, manufacturing, and sales of surgical robot products for treatment of vascular diseases.

Cathbot (Shanghai) Robot Co., Ltd., as a joint venture established in China by Shanghai MicroPort MedBot (Group) Co., Ltd. and Robocath S.A.S, France, is committed to the introduction and commercialization of R-ONE® system. Moreover, the joint venture will realize the local manufacturing and assembly of R-ONE^® system, engage in the development of robot systems for other vascular intervention procedures and develop technologies related to remote intervention surgery and AI.