Robocath successfully carries out Europe’s first remote robotic-assisted coronary angioplasty

Robocath, a company that designs, develops and commercializes cardiovascular robotic systems for the treatment of vascular diseases, has announced the successful completion of the first remote robotic-assisted coronary angioplasty in Europe.

The procedure was carried out by Professor Eric Durand and Rémi Sabatier at the Rouen Medical Training Center and Caen University Hospital, France - spanning 75 miles (120km) between the two locations. 

The procedure – the first of its kind in Europe – was completed with R-One, Robocath’s first commercial robotic-assisted platform. This unprecedented achievement opens the door to new options for patients who live in remote areas and require swift treatment to successfully treat cardiovascular diseases. 

The procedure was carried out on an animal model on 8 December 2020. Consistent communication was secured using a variety of tools.

Sabatier, Interventional Cardiologist at the Caen University Hospital and Associate Professor in Remote Medicine, said: “This pioneering robotic procedure, the first in Europe carried out at a distance of over 70 miles, could eventually improve patient care in case of serious cardiac events such as heart attacks and strokes, and save lives. Aside from the technical achievement, it’s been a privilege for me personally to be involved in this first intervention.

Durand, Interventional Cardiologist at Rouen University Hospital, added: “I’m delighted to have participated in this landmark operation, which has proven that long-distance robotic procedures can be completed safely and securely by qualified caregivers … I’m convinced that the future of interventional cardiology is robotic and that this remote connection module will speed up growth in this area.”

Bruno Fournier, CTO at Robocath, said: “This successful operation is a great proof-of-concept in a number of technical aspects; it demonstrates that a coronary angioplasty can be completed safely between two distant sites. In the long run, our goal is to provide the user with the same level of performance as with an in-person robotic procedure.”