Surgical robots precisely assist interventional treatment for cardiovascular diseases

Up next we share with you some promising advances in the use of surgical robots in interventional treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Cha Yun-kyung explains.

Researchers have been using a surgical robot, nicknamed a "catheter robot," to perform venous and arterial catheterization for the removal of blood clots. A guide wire is moved through blood vessels, controlled by the robot and overseen by a certified surgeon who can take control using a joystick, to locate and treat blockages in, for example, the carotid arteries.

The success rate of treatment using the catheter robot has been 100-percent in clinical trials due to its precise control and accuracy, and it also reduces operation times by assisting the surgeon effectively. It also lowers a patient's exposure to radiation by cutting the time needed for real-time X-ray imaging. The robot is currently undergoing further clinical trials before commercialization, after acquiring the New Excellent Technology(NET) certification from the Ministry of Health and Welfare for the first time in Korea's surgical robot industry.

"We will start using catheter robots in five designated hospitals from July this year. We can lower the operation time by controlling the robot precisely, 1 millimeter at a time."

Surgical robots are being welcomed by patients as they raise the accuracy of surgery and lower the error range. Eyes are on whether catheter robots can be successfully commercialized.

Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.