Professor Bai Ming operates a robot from a control console during a coronary intervention. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A high-risk coronary intervention using a domestically produced vascular interventional surgical robot was successfully performed at the First Hospital of Lanzhou University in Gansu province on May 21.

The procedure was conducted on a 49-year-old male patient with severe coronary artery disease and was the first of its kind to be performed in Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. This achievement marks a major breakthrough in minimally invasive cardiovascular treatment in Northwest China.

Under the guidance of Professor Bai Ming, the team devised a personalized surgical plan using robotic assistance, precise stent implantation, and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) optimization to maximize the accuracy and safety of the surgery.

During the procedure, Bai operated the robot from a control console, utilizing its sub-millimeter precision, AI navigation, and force feedback capabilities. The robot expertly handled catheter insertion, guidewire and balloon delivery, and the precise placement of a drug-eluting stent. Postoperative IVUS confirmed excellent stent positioning and expansion, with no residual stenosis or dissection, achieving optimal blood flow restoration.

This successful operation represents a pioneering step in using domestic robotic technology for complex coronary interventions, offering a safer and more efficient treatment option for high-risk patients. Bai highlighted the potential of robotic systems to enhance surgical precision, reduce radiation exposure, and improve patient outcomes in challenging coronary cases.