SS Innovations International performs world’s 1st robotic cardiac telesurgeries via SSi Mantra 3

SS Innovations International, a developer of surgical robotic technologies that aims to make robotic surgery affordable for and accessible to a global population, successfully performed the world’s first two robotic cardiac telesurgeries over two days.

This achievement, made possible by the SSi Mantra 3 Surgical Robotic System, involved remotely connecting SS Innovations' headquarters in Gurugram, India with Manipal Hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, spanning 286 kilometers. The company said this milestone opens the door to a future where advanced surgical technology can become a key component of accessible and efficient global healthcare.

Two robotic procedures featured low latency

The first telesurgery procedure, a remotely conducted robotic-assisted Internal Mammary Artery Harvesting procedure was completed in 58 minutes. The surgical team was led by Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, founder, chairman and CEO of SS Innovations, from the company’s Headquarters in Gurugram, and supported by Dr. Lalit Malik, chief of cardiac surgery at Manipal Hospital, Jaipur, along with his expert team at the remote location in Jaipur.

The telesurgery demonstrated precision with a low latency of 35-40 milliseconds (less than 1/20^th of a second). This procedure was followed by another world-first, a Robotic Beating Heart Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass (TECAB), known as one of the most complex cardiac surgical procedures; performed via telesurgery under the same collaboration, also with a low latency of 40 milliseconds.

“We are extremely thrilled to have advanced the capabilities of surgery to benefit humanity, especially in areas that need it the most,” Dr. Srivastava said. “By enabling telesurgery, we can bridge gaps in access to medical expertise and deliver the highest standard of care, regardless of geographical barriers. For a country like India, with its vast rural population and significant healthcare disparities, this innovation has the potential to be transformative. Telesurgery brings world-class surgical expertise directly to underserved communities, eliminating the need for patients to travel long distances to urban centers for specialized care. It ensures timely interventions while reducing logistical and financial burdens on families.”

SS Innovations said that both telesurgeries, conducted by remote connection from Gurugram to Jaipur, showcased teamwork across long distances and set a new standard for remote surgical interventions. The company added that these achievements underscore the transformative potential of telesurgery in overcoming geographical barriers, enabling timely, high-quality medical care with a high degree of accuracy.

Robotic surgical system details

The SSi Mantra 3 Surgical Robotic System is the only robotic system in the world to have received regulatory approval for telesurgery and tele-proctoring. Approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), this validation opens the door to remote surgeries and medical education, enabling healthcare professionals to collaborate across distances. The company said it highlights the transformative potential of technology in enhancing the accessibility and precision of healthcare, revolutionizing how surgeries are performed on a global scale.

“We believe that this groundbreaking inter-state robotic cardiac telesurgery marks a significant advance in enhancing patient care through innovation,” Dr. Malik said. “The remote robotic-assisted CABG on an elderly patient from Jaipur demonstrates how technology can bridge geographical gaps to provide accurate and timely medical interventions. This achievement underscores our dedication to offering world-class healthcare and ensuring patients have access to the most advanced treatment options available.”

“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Srivastava and the entire team on the successful achievement of performing the world’s first robotic cardiac telesurgeries,” said Dr. Frederic Moll, father of surgical robotics, founder of Intuitive Surgical and vice-chairman of SS Innovations. “It is wonderful to see just how far we have come since the inception of surgical robotics more than 20 years ago.”

The company said the approval of telesurgery and tele-proctoring capabilities for the SSi Mantra Surgical Robotic System not only underscores its commitment to innovation, but also opens up new possibilities for accessible, high-quality healthcare across India and beyond. As SS Innovations continues to expand the boundaries of medical technology, it remains dedicated to transforming healthcare delivery, making advanced treatments more accessible, and ultimately improving the lives of patients worldwide.