MicroPort Scientific : ® MedBot® Announces the Completion of the First Confirmatory Clinical Trial of the R-ONE® Vascular Interventional Surgical Robot in China

Beijing, China, 28 November 2021 - Cathbot (Shanghai) Robot Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Cathbot^®), a joint venture of Shanghai MicroPort MedBot (Group) Co., Ltd. (MicroPort^® MedBot^®) and French company Robocath S.A.S (Robocath), announced today the completion of the first confirmatory clinical trial of the R-ONE® Vascular Interventional Surgical Robot (R-ONE^®) at the 301st Hospital in China. This surgery, a robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), was successfully led by Professor Yundai Chen, Director of the Department of Cardiology, for a patient with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Operating from behind a radiation shield, Prof. Yundai Chen was able to remotely control the robotic arm without the need for a lead apron. Prof. Yundai Chen was able to place the stent into the coronary stenosis by smoothly delivering and precisely positioning the guidewire at the dilatation location.

Prof. Yundai Chen commented, "R-ONE^® is an important milestone in the development of the field of vascular intervention. Not only does it allow for placing balloons and stents with precision, protecting the surgeons from radiation during the procedure, but it also greatly reduces the learning curve for surgeons thanks to its simplicity and ease of use, making the entire procedure more efficient, safer and greener. "

R-ONE® is an innovative robotic solution for the pan-vascular segment of MicroPort^® MedBot^®. It is a navigation control system for vascular intervention based on the master-slave control methodology, which enables interventional cardiologists to perform procedures with greater precision. It also significantly reduces the dose of X-ray radiation they receive, unlike in traditional vascular interventions where the surgeon is exposed to ionizing radiation from X-rays for extended periods of time. It is also believed that wearing a heavy lead apron for prolonged periods is likely to cause damage to the surgeon's skeletal system.

Supported by an articulated arm that helps precisely locate the lesion with enhanced guidance, R-ONE^® supports a better assessment of the affected vessel and improved delivery of balloons and stents. This allows for the standardization of the surgical procedure, while reducing surgical complications.

Dr. Philippe Bencteux, Chairman and Founder of Robocath, stated, "The success of the first confirmatory clinical trial of R-ONE® in China is the result of a joint effort and win-win partnership between Robocath and MicroPort^® MedBot^®. We also greatly appreciate the efforts of Prof. Yundai Chen and the team from Shanghai Cathbot^®. This clinical trial marks the first step in the commercialization of robotic-assisted PCIs. Vascular interventional surgical robots, which feature a precise and efficient workflow, will disrupt traditional procedures, not only by improving the surgical safety for patients, but also by providing a safer working environment for clinicians."

By responding to the pioneering development needs of minimally invasive surgery, MicroPort^® MedBot^® is committed to providing innovative total solutions to prolong and reshape the lives of patients with the help of medical robotics. Its current business covers five segments, including endoscope, orthopedics, vascular intervention, natural orifice, and percutaneous puncture.

Dr. Chao He, President of MicroPort^® MedBot^®, said, "With its continuous clinical development, confirmatory and market approval, R-ONE^® will fill a gap in the field of robotic-assisted PCIs in China where no comparable products are available at the moment, bringing more benefits to doctors and patients."