Shanghai, China, 7 September 2021 — The Toumai^® Laparoscopic Surgery Robotic System (Toumai^®), developed by Shanghai MicroPort MedBot (Group) Co., Ltd. (MicroPort^® MedBot), has completed its first experimental robotic-assisted sleeve lobectomy in animals. The procedure was carried out by a team, led by Prof. Qingquan Luo, Executive Deputy Director of Department of Oncology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, and is the first sophisticated thoracic procedure performed by a Chinese-developed surgery robot.

During the procedure, Prof. Luo performed hilar release, removal of the right upper lung lobe tissue and bronchial anastomosis using Toumai^®. Whilst the smooth completion of the procedure is a testament to Prof. Luo’s skills in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, the dexterity of Toumai^®’s robotic wrist was demonstrated throughout. Its 3D laparoscopic system provided the surgeon with a three-dimensional and immersive field of view. The intuitive master-slave remote controller, which is responsive and easy to use, contributes to simplifying surgical operations and shortening operation time.

Following the procedure, Prof. Qingquan Luo commented, “In the procedure, Toumai^® delivered a stable and reliable performance, which enabled responsive handling through narrow openings, providing high-fidelity anatomical images. The completion of this procedure shows that Toumai^® is capable of performing more minimally invasive thoracic surgeries in future and we look forward to the launch of the Toumai^® surgery robot for the benefit of more patients.”

After the procedure, Prof. Luo gave a talk, sharing his vast experience in robotic-assisted minimally invasive thoracic surgeries, noting that his team at the Department of Oncology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, had been dedicated to investigation and innovation in minimally invasive surgical techniques over the years. The successful application of Toumai^® in sleeve lobectomy once again demonstrates the strength of surgery robots in assisting surgeons with sophisticated surgeries in narrow operating environments.

Yu Liu, Chief Commercial Officer of MicroPort^® MedBot, stated, “Prof. Qingquan Luo is a world pioneer in performing single-port and single-utility-port thoracic surgery using available surgical robot systems. He has developed a new system of robotic surgery approaches, promoted innovations in robotic thoracic surgeries that require fewer ports, and has contributed to the development of minimally invasive lung tumor surgeries in China. MicroPort^® MedBot looks forward to strengthening cooperation between doctors and engineers in the future to explore and innovate in the field of minimally invasive surgery, and to jointly introduce more treatment solutions for the benefit of patients.”

About Sleeve lobectomy

Sleeve lobectomy is a sophisticated thoracic surgery, an alternative to pneumonectomy, which involves the removal of an entire lung. In cases of tumor infiltration into the orifice of the bronchus, the surgeon can suture the bronchus of a healthy lung lobe to the adjacent main bronchus after tumor removal, thereby preserving the healthy lung lobe. This procedure, which requires highly qualified surgeons to perform, allows the preservation of as much normal lung tissue as possible whilst ensuring tumor removal, thereby improving patients’ post-operative recovery and quality of life.