ARPA-H Launches Ambitious Program for Autonomous Surgical Robots with Focus on Stroke Treatment

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has unveiled a groundbreaking funding initiative aimed at developing autonomous robotic systems for medical interventions, with a particular emphasis on stroke treatment. This program seeks to revolutionize healthcare delivery by extending advanced surgical capabilities beyond traditional hospital settings.

Autonomous Robots: A New Frontier in Stroke Care

ARPA-H has identified stroke as a critical area of focus, citing it as one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. The agency estimates that a significant portion of the population lives too far from properly equipped and staffed centers to receive timely, life-saving procedures such as thrombectomies to remove blood clots from the brain.

To address this urgent need, ARPA-H is calling for proposals from a diverse range of experts in surgery, imaging, and artificial intelligence. The agency is encouraging the formation of multidisciplinary teams from academic institutions, research organizations, and private sector companies to tackle this complex challenge.

Ileana Hancu, the program's manager who joined ARPA-H in 2023 from the National Cancer Institute, envisions a future where care extends "beyond the four walls of a clinic to anywhere you can take a container of microbots." This ambitious goal aims to dramatically improve access to critical interventions and reduce the risk of long-term complications associated with treatment delays.

Expanding the Scope of Robotic Surgery

While stroke treatment is a primary focus, ARPA-H's program also encompasses a broader range of surgical procedures that could potentially be performed without human hands. The agency is exploring the development of microrobotic systems for less urgent procedures such as biopsies and kidney stone removals, with the goal of delivering less invasive care without the need for specialized equipment.

This initiative builds upon recent advancements in the field of robotic surgery. Earlier this year, Stryker and Siemens Healthineers announced a collaboration to develop a neurovascular robot for treating strokes and brain aneurysms. Additionally, Medtronic has partnered with Methinks AI to create software for early stroke detection and treatment guidance.

In a significant demonstration of remote surgical capabilities, Sentante recently showcased its haptic catheter-control system by performing a thrombectomy across continents. The procedure, conducted on a human cadaver, connected operators in Scotland and Florida, highlighting the potential for telesurgery in expanding access to specialized interventions.