Robocath has announced its first successful robotic carotid stenting at Rennes University Hospital.
This breakthrough in the neurovascular field was performed on 16 November, using Robocath’s R-One robot, operated by Dr. François Eugène and his team.
The procedure is part of a clinical study, which is the first stage of an ambitious research program launched last July by Robocath and Rennes University Hospital, in partnership with Philips France. It aims to enrich the current and future generations of robotic platforms, with the long-term view of improving the treatment of cerebrovascular incidents (CVA, stroke).
Dr. François Eugène, neurointerventionalist at Rennes University Hospital, said:
“I am honored to be one of the first operators in the world working in neurovascular robotics. Until now, there were no clinical investigations in Europe in this area, despite all its potential benefits.
"Every year, 5.5 million people around the world die from a stroke, and one in two stroke victims live with lifelong consequences. The reason for this is a lack of comprehensive health coverage, due to a shortage of qualified operators and hospitals capable of performing this type of procedure. Strokes must be treated quickly but also with extreme precision.
"Robotics can operate with millimeter accuracy and offer new possibilities in terms of movement, as well as bringing more comfortable working conditions. In time, I am sure that robotic assistance will provide the population with optimal stroke treatment and equality of access to care in France, as well as in other countries facing the same public health issues.”
Lucien Goffart, CEO of Robocath, added: “Strokes are currently the second most common cause of death worldwide. However, there is huge inequality in terms of care provision. The success of treatment is highly dependent on the operator’s level of experience and the proximity of a center capable of treating the condition. Our robotic solution will enable procedures to be more precise and more reliable, which will benefit stroke patients by greatly improving their treatment. Linked with our remote connection module, in the future our technology could treat 100% of patients in the best possible conditions.”
Philippe Bencteux, president and founder of Robocath, concluded: “Robocath’s founding ambition was to ensure the best possible treatment for all stroke patients. For the first time in the company’s history, this procedure has made that ambition a reality. It is a major step forward in our development; opening up some very promising new possibilities for our next robotic generation. I would like to thank Dr. Eugène for his involvement. With his support, as well as that of Philips France, we intend to showcase the huge potential of robotics in the neurovascular field.”
