In a world first, a bi-manual ophthalmology robot, Luca, has been used to successfully perform retinal surgery.
The landmark procedure using the robot was carried out at Ghent University Hospital in Belgium by senior vitreoretinal surgeon Dr Fanny Nerinckx, who said the robot “provided an unparalleled level of control and accuracy”.
“This technology represents a major leap forward for our specialty and offers new surgical possibilities to treat our patients,” she said.
The company developing the robot, AcuSurgical, said the successful surgery marked a “significant milestone in the field of retinal surgery”.
We are thrilled that a patient was effectively and safely operated today using our novel technology
“The Luca robotic surgery platform advances procedural capabilities while providing improved control for the surgeon, such as augmenting surgical precision by a factor of 20.
“By enhancing the surgeon’s dexterity, the system improves the quality of surgeries performed today and enables game-changing new treatments for retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration,” AcuSurgical said in a statement.
Retinal surgeries are among the most delicate and intricate procedures in ophthalmology, requiring an unprecedented level of precision to operate on structures the size of a fraction of a hair.
“We are thrilled that a patient was effectively and safely operated today using our novel technology,” said Christoph Spuhler, CEO of AcuSurgical.
“Luca opens the way to augment retinal surgery with advanced technologies, such as AI and augmented visualisation, and will lead to a whole panel of new revolutionary treatments for retinal disease,” he said.
AcusSurgical has plans for a clinical study to support future regulatory registration of the robot in Europe and the United States.
