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December 10, 2024
In a groundbreaking milestone for Indian healthcare and medical innovation, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has granted regulatory approval to SSI Mantra, India’s first domestically developed robotic surgical system, for telesurgery and teleproctoring. This achievement signifies a significant leap forward in the field of surgical robotics, paving the way for advanced medical care in remote and underserved areas.
The SSI Mantra system has been developed by Gurugram-based SS Innovations, led by Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, the company’s Founder, Chairman, and CEO. Highlighting the transformative potential of this technology, Dr. Srivastava said, “Telesurgery and teleproctoring have been a dream in the making for over four decades, and today, it has finally come to life. With the technology and bandwidth available now, we can truly decentralise and democratise surgical expertise, reaching patients and surgeons in the most remote parts of India and the world.”
Revolutionising Rural Healthcare
The SSI Mantra system aims to bridge critical healthcare gaps in India, especially in rural and remote regions where access to specialist surgical care is limited. Through telesurgery, surgeons can perform operations remotely, while teleproctoring allows for real-time guidance and training of surgeons by experts from afar.
“This innovation is a game-changer, especially for our country, where much of the population lives in smaller towns and rural areas,” Dr. Srivastava added. “By enabling remote surgical intervention, we are reshaping the future of healthcare.”
A Record of Success and Technological Advancements
SSI Mantra recently launched its third-generation surgical robot, SSI Mantra 3, which is touted as the most advanced version of the system. It achieved a historic feat by completing India’s first human trial in telesurgery. The trial involved a robotic cholecystectomy—surgical removal of the gallbladder—conducted over a 5 km distance between the World Laparoscopy Hospital and SSI Headquarters, facilitated by Airtel’s fiber optic network with no perceptible delay.
The system has already demonstrated its versatility by completing over 2,000 surgeries, including 124 cardiac cases, with zero mortality and no device-related adverse events. It has also been effectively used in 789 general surgeries, 621 urology surgeries, and 269 gynecology procedures.
The Road Ahead
With this regulatory approval, SSI Mantra sets the stage for a new era in Indian healthcare, underscoring the potential of homegrown innovations to address systemic challenges. The integration of advanced surgical robotics with telesurgery capabilities offers hope for equitable healthcare access, particularly for underserved populations.
The approval from CDSCO validates SSI Mantra’s readiness to revolutionise healthcare delivery, making India a significant player in the global surgical robotics landscape.
