World‑first trans‑Atlantic robotic stroke procedure in Dundee signals major step for global care access
- Banday & Mackenzie
- Nov 10
- 2 min read
In a milestone medical event believed to be a world first, surgeons in Scotland and the United States have performed a remote robotic thrombectomy – a specialised stroke treatment that removes a blood clot – using a human cadaver and linking operations across continents. Professor Iris Grunwald of the University of Dundee led the initial phase from the neurosciences suite at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, operating via the Lithuanian‑developed Sentante robotic system on a cadaver in a facility elsewhere on campus. Hours later, neurosurgeon Ricardo Hanel in Jacksonville, Florida, took remote control of the same system to complete a second procedure – more than 4,000 miles (≈ 6,400 km) away.
Why this matters
Ischaemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain, cutting off oxygen supply and causing irreversible damage if not treated quickly. The most effective intervention for certain cases is a mechanical thrombectomy, performed by a neurointerventional specialist. However, in Scotland only three centres (Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh) currently offer this high‑skill service – meaning many patients must travel long distances for care. With transport and time being critical – some estimates suggest every six‑minute delay reduces the chance of a good outcome by 1 % – remote specialist access holds huge potential to reduce health inequality and expand access.
The technology and procedure
The Sentante system functions by linking a surgeon’s console (joystick and controls) to robotic tools that manipulate catheters and wires in real time inside the patient. Importantly, the system provides realistic tactile feedback to the operator, enabling precision comparable to an in‑person intervention. In the Dundee experiments, human cadavers donated to science were prepared with a circulating fluid that mimics blood, enabling realistic simulation of the thrombectomy process. The sequence of steps – navigating to the clot, retrieving it, restoring flow – was executed remotely. Dr Hanel reported a latency (delay) of just 120 milliseconds when operating from Florida to Dundee—a technical achievement that underscores how remote intervention can be practically delivered.
Implications & next steps
The teams emphasise that while the procedure is not yet cleared for live patients, the successful demonstration on human bodies marks a critical proof‑of‑concept. Clinical trials are anticipated to begin in the near future. If translated into clinical practice, this technology could help neurointerventionalists reach patients in remote or underserved regions without the need for travel or transfer—effectively bringing the specialist to the patient, rather than the other way around.
Challenges ahead
There remain several major hurdles:
- Regulatory approval for love patient use, including clinical safety, cybersecurity, and real-time control protocols.
- Infrastructure and connectivity requirements in hospital sites.
- Training and accreditation of surgeons and multidisciplinary teams.
- Ethical and consent issues for remote surgery.
Conclusion
This collaborative UK‑US robotic stroke procedure represents not just a technological leap, but a symbol of how healthcare access might evolve. By bridging geography, specialist expertise, and advanced robotics, the intervention hints at a future when the nearest stroke‑clot‑removing expert may be wherever the network is, not merely wherever the hospital is. For patients living far from expert centres—such as those in rural Scotland or remote parts of the world—this could be a game‑changer. For now, the future is closer than we thought.
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