Robocath and Rennes University Hospital have announced they are launching a co-development research programme using robotics to improve treatments for stroke patients. With the support of Philips France, this unique programme will be implemented over the next four years.
It will begin with a clinical study into the treatment of carotid artery disease using R-One, the first robotic platform developed by Robocath, which has been on the market since 2019. This first-generation robotic solution was designed to improve the treatment of cardiovascular disease by enhancing physicians’ movements through increased precision. It also helps medical staff to drastically reduce their exposure to X-rays, according to a Robocath press release.
“I am delighted to be launching this scientific research partnership with Robocath and to be working with this passionate team,” said François Eugène, interventional neuroradiologist at Rennes University Hospital (Rennes, France). “Robotics is already successfully used to treat coronary disease in humans, and the benefits of this technology can also be applied to the treatment of certain neurovascular diseases. This is largely because precision of movement is a key factor in treating stroke patients; the use of robotics will increase the success rate of these procedures. I am very excited to get started on the clinical study.”
Following this clinical study, the partnership will become an active research and development (R&D) collaboration aimed at improving and enhancing current and future generations of robotic solutions, based on the synergy between both parties’ skills, and know-how.
“This collaboration proves that there is considerable interest in robotics in the medical sector,” said Robocath CEO Lucien Goffart. “It demonstrates the whole scope of potential applications in a range of specialist vascular fields. The combination of Dr Eugène’s enthusiasm and the support of Philips France is the ideal recipe for the success of this research programme, which will undoubtedly represent a pivotal moment in our company’s history.”
