What is St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto doing with robots?

They are using remote-controlled robots to perform critical diagnostic and surgical procedures, like brain angiograms and potentially endovascular thrombectomies.

How far can Dr. Vitor Mendes Pereira operate from?

Dr. Pereira has performed procedures from up to six kilometers away, and they are planning a surgery for a patient 500 kilometers away.

Can this remote surgery help stroke patients in rural areas?

Yes, this technology is expected to significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients in rural areas by providing timely, specialized care without long-distance transport.

Home / Health / Robot Surgeon Performs Brain Angiograms Remotely

Robot Surgeon Performs Brain Angiograms Remotely

18 Jan

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Summary

A remote-controlled robot performed 10 brain angiograms over fiber-optic internet.
A remote endovascular thrombectomy surgery is planned for a patient 500 km away.
This technology could revolutionize stroke treatment in rural areas globally.

Doctors at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto have successfully conducted ten remote brain angiograms using a fiber-optic internet connection and a robotic system. This innovative approach allows Dr. Vitor Mendes Pereira to perform diagnostic procedures from kilometers away, saving critical time for patients. The team is preparing for a potential world-first: a remote endovascular thrombectomy surgery to remove blood clots, targeting a patient in Sault Ste. Marie, approximately 500 kilometers distant.

This technology aims to bridge the gap in specialized medical care for stroke patients in rural Canada and beyond. By enabling surgeons to operate remotely, it drastically reduces transport times, a major factor in stroke patient morbidity. The system requires a surgical robot, costing between $1 million and $3 million, and a skilled remote operating team, presenting cost challenges for rural hospitals.