Robotic-assisted cardiac surgery achieved in Lanzhou

A percutaneous coronary intervention using a domestically produced vascular interventional surgical robot system was successfully performed at the First Hospital of Lanzhou University in Lanzhou, Northwest China's Gansu province, on May 21.

The surgery, the first robot-assisted coronary intervention performed in the province, was conducted on a 49-year-old male patient with complex coronary artery disease. This achievement marks a major breakthrough in minimally invasive cardiovascular treatment in Northwest China.

Under the guidance of Professor Bai Ming from the hospital, the team devised a personalized surgical plan integrating robotic assistance, precise stent implantation, and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) optimization to maximize the accuracy and safety of the surgery.

During the procedure, Bai remotely operated the robotic system from a control console. Utilizing its sub-millimeter precision, AI navigation, and force-feedback technology, the robot expertly handled catheterization, guidewire delivery and the precise placement of a drug-eluting stent.

Post-procedural IVUS confirmed excellent stent positioning and expansion, with no residual stenosis or dissection, achieving optimal blood flow restoration.

This successful operation represents a pioneering step in using domestic robotic technology for complex coronary interventions, offering a safer and more efficient treatment option for high-risk patients. Bai highlighted the potential of robotic systems to enhance surgical precision, reduce radiation exposure, and improve patient outcomes in challenging coronary cases.