India’s first indigenously developed robotic surgical system, ‘SSI Mantra’, has received regulatory approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for telesurgery and teleproctoring, the company announced.
This marks a significant advancement in healthcare technology, with the potential to improve access to specialised medical care in remote regions.
The system, developed by Gurugram-based SS Innovations, aims to address longstanding challenges in healthcare delivery. It leverages advanced technology to enable surgeons to perform operations remotely and train others via teleproctoring.
A news publication quoted Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, founder, chairman, and CEO at SS Innovations saying, “Telesurgery and teleproctoring have been a dream for over four decades, and today, it has finally come to life.”
Telesurgery, an idea that originated in the 1980s for use in space and battlefield scenarios, has become feasible due to advancements in connectivity and robotic technology.
“With the technology and bandwidth available now, we can decentralise and democratise surgical expertise, reaching patients and surgeons in the most remote parts of India and the world.”
In addition, the organisation has introduced a mobile operating room, housed in a specially modified truck, aimed at delivering surgical care to underserved communities. This mobile unit enables surgeons to perform procedures either remotely or on-site, potentially reducing the need for patient travel.
Why is This Important for India?
India’s healthcare infrastructure faces challenges in rural and semi-urban areas where access to specialised medical care is limited. The use of telesurgery could provide an alternative solution by enabling remote intervention and reducing the burden of travel for patients.
The CDSCO approval may enable the system to contribute to addressing disparities in healthcare access within India. It could also have implications for surgical training and interventions on a global scale.
While the adoption of such technologies may represent progress, their practical implementation and scalability across different regions will likely depend on infrastructure, training, and affordability.
The potential impact of this development on healthcare systems in underserved areas will become clearer as the technology is more widely deployed.
Recent Impacts
SSI Mantra’s latest iteration, SSI Mantra 3, recently completed Indonesia’s first robotic cardiac surgery. Another cholecystectomy trial conducted over a 5 km distance between the World Laparoscopy Hospital and the SS Innovations headquarters utilised Airtel’s fibre optic network for seamless connectivity.
The trial demonstrated the system’s capacity for precision and real-time execution without perceptible delays. Cholecystectomy, a gallbladder removal procedure, was the focus of this trial, which showcased the technology’s readiness for clinical application.
The SSI Mantra 3 integrates cutting-edge advancements in robotic surgery to enhance precision, efficiency, and patient outcomes. SS Innovations reported that the SSI Mantra system has been used in over 2,000 surgeries, including 124 cardiac cases.
The system recorded zero mortality and no device-related adverse events. It has also proven effective in 789 general surgeries, 621 urology procedures, and 269 gynaecology cases, highlighting its versatility across specialisations.
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