The SSi Mantra 3 includes more than 40 different types of robotic endo-surgical instruments that can be used for different specialties including cardiac surgery. | Source: SS Innovations
SS Innovations International Inc. yesterday announced two landmark robotic cardiac telesurgeries in just two days. The team performed both surgeries with the SSi Mantra 3 Surgical Robotic System. They involved remotely connecting SS Innovations’ headquarters in Gurugram, India, with Manipal Hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, spanning a distance of 286 km (177.7 mi.).
“We are extremely thrilled to have advanced the capabilities of surgery to benefit humanity, especially in areas that need it the most,” stated Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, founder, chairman, and CEO of SS Innovations. “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,” he continued. “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.”
The company said both surgeries showcased seamless teamwork across long distances. They also underscore telesurgery’s potential to overcome geographical barriers to enable timely, high-quality medical care.
SS Innovations’ product range includes its proprietary SSi Mantra surgical robotic system and the SSi Mudra surgical instruments. SSi Mudra is designed to support a variety of surgical procedures, including robotic cardiac surgery.
The company said it plans to expand the presence of its user-friendly and cost-effective systems, globally.
Two telesurgeries bridge distance gap
The Manipal Hospital surgical team completed its first telesurgery, a remotely conducted robotic-assisted internal mammary artery harvesting procedure, in just 58 minutes. The telesurgery demonstrated precision with a low latency of just 35 to 40 milliseconds, less than 1/20th of a second.
The second was a robotic beating heart totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB). This procedure is known as one of the most complex cardiac surgical procedures. This procedure was performed via telesurgery under the same collaboration, also with a low latency of just 40 milliseconds.
Dr. Srivastava led the surgical team from the company’s headquarters in Gurugram. Dr. Lalit Malik, chief of cardiac surgery at Manipal Hospital, Jaipur, along with his expert team at the remote location in Jaipur, supported the operations.
“We believe that this groundbreaking inter-state robotic cardiac telesurgery marks a significant advance in enhancing patient care through innovation,” said Dr. Lalit Malik, chief of cardiac surgery at Manipal Hospital, Jaipur. “The remote robotic-assisted CABG [coronary artery bypass graft] on an elderly patient from Jaipur demonstrates how technology can bridge geographical gaps to provide accurate and timely medical interventions.”
About the SSi Mantra 3
The SSi Mantra 3 Surgical Robotic System has received regulatory approval for telesurgery and tele-proctoring. The approval from Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) opens the door to remote surgeries and medical education, said SS Innovations. This enables healthcare professionals to collaborate across distances.
The SSi Mantra 3, which was released in July, is modular and allows surgeons to use three to five robotic arms. The system has an open-faced ergonomic Surgeon Command Centre, a 32-in. 3D 4K monitor, and a 23-in. 2D Touch panel monitor for all patient-related information display. It also provides a virtual real-time image of the robotic Patient Side Arm Carts and can superimpose 3D models of diagnostic imaging.
The approval of Telesurgery and Tele proctoring capabilities for the SSi Mantra Surgical Robotic System underscores the company’s commitment to innovation. It also opens up new possibilities for accessible, high-quality healthcare across India and beyond.
SS Innovations said it highlights the transformative potential of technology in enhancing the accessibility and precision of healthcare. In November, SS Innovations performed its first-ever robotic cardiac surgery in Indonesia. The SSi Mantra system was part of procedures including a bilateral, internal mammary artery (IMA) CABG, an atrial septal defect (ASD) repair, and a beating heart TECAB.
