Chinese robotic system boosts precision and access in stroke treatment

A robot-assisted vascular intervention system developed in China is showing potential to improve the precision and accessibility of stroke treatment, amid growing demand for more efficient and high-quality healthcare solutions.

Globally, stroke remains one of the leading threats to public health. According to the 2025 Global Stroke Report, there were 11.946 million new cases worldwide in 2021, with ischemic stroke accounting for 65.3 percent.

In China, the challenge is particularly acute. A 2020 national study showed that among people aged 40 and above, the prevalence of stroke reached 2.6 percent, with an incidence rate of 505.2 per 100,000 person-years.

The country has about 17.8 million stroke patients, and ischemic stroke accounts for 86.8 percent of cases. In 2021, the annual economic burden of stroke exceeded 400 billion yuan ($55 billion), with its share of total healthcare expenditure continuing to rise.

For acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion, mechanical thrombectomy has become a key treatment, extending the therapeutic window to 24 hours. However, conventional manual procedures still face constraints such as uneven distribution of medical resources, a steep learning curve for operators and reduced precision due to fatigue.

Against this backdrop, vascular interventional surgical robots are gaining attention. The PANVIS STAR system, developed by Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Biomedical Robot Co Ltd, recently completed a full mechanical thrombectomy workflow in an animal model of ascending pharyngeal artery occlusion.

The procedure included femoral artery puncture, robot-assisted angiography, target vessel selection, microwire navigation and stent retriever deployment, followed by successful thrombus removal and complete vessel recanalization confirmed by angiography.

"The system supports coordinated manipulation of multiple instruments, including guide catheters, intermediate catheters, microcatheters and stent retrievers, and enables sub-millimeter precision with force feedback and stable control," said the company.

It also incorporates a fingertip control interface designed to replicate surgeons' hand movements, multiple motion modes adaptable to complex vascular anatomy, and real-time haptic feedback to enhance operational accuracy.

In addition to its technical features, the system is compatible with a wide range of vascular procedures, including neurovascular, cardiovascular, peripheral and oncological interventions. It also supports remote operation, laying the groundwork for long-distance procedures over 5G networks.

In 2024, the system was used in what was described as the world's first live remote animal neurointervention demonstration at the Oriental Congress of Neurovascular Diseases in Shanghai, where surgeons performed procedures from a remote console.

Policy developments are also shaping the sector. In October 2025, the National Medical Products Administration released a new industry standard for robotic vascular interventional systems, set to take effect in November 2026. In January 2026, the National Healthcare Security Administration introduced unified pricing codes for robot-assisted surgical services, marking a step toward broader clinical adoption.

Industry observers say such technologies could help improve procedural stability, expand access to high-level care and alleviate pressure on healthcare systems as demand for stroke treatment continues to grow.