Abrobo

Abrobo (爱博合创) develops vascular interventional surgical robots designed to assist physicians in performing catheter-based procedures with enhanced precision while reducing radiation exposure. Founded by Professor Guo Shuxiang, a Foreign Member of the Engineering Academy of Japan and IEEE Fellow, the company has built upon two decades of research that produced the world’s first neurointerventional robot prototype in Japan in 2008.

Company Overview

Headquartered in Shenzhen’s Longgang District, Abrobo emerged from academic research conducted by Professor Guo Shuxiang at multiple institutions in Japan and China. The founding team’s experience includes developing the first neurointerventional robot system globally, providing deep expertise in catheter manipulation and force feedback systems.

The company focuses exclusively on vascular interventional robotics, targeting neurovascular, coronary, and peripheral vascular procedures. This specialization distinguishes Abrobo from competitors pursuing broader surgical robot portfolios. By 2025, the company had accumulated approximately 500 patent applications covering core technologies including catheter control mechanisms, multi-device synchronization, and remote operation systems.

Professor Guo currently holds positions as Chair Professor at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) and has been recognized through China’s Overseas High-Level Talent Program and as a Changjiang Scholar.

Core Products

PANVIS-A™ NeuroInterventional Robotic System

The company’s first commercialized product received NMPA Class III medical device approval in August 2024 (Registration No. 国械注准20243011574). PANVIS-A enables robotic-assisted diagnostic cerebral angiography with the physician operating from a radiation-shielded control station.

A multicenter randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery (JNIS) in 2025 demonstrated 96% reduction in primary operator radiation exposure compared to manual procedures, while maintaining equivalent safety and efficacy outcomes. The trial enrolled 128 patients across four centers in China.

PANVIS Star™ Pan-Vascular Interventional System

The second-generation platform extends capabilities to coronary and peripheral interventions. In May 2024, the system enabled a remote PCI procedure across 5,200 kilometers, connecting Shanghai’s Zhongshan Hospital with Kashgar Second People’s Hospital in Xinjiang—one of the longest-distance robotic coronary interventions documented.

Coronary intervention registration trials completed in late 2024, with NMPA submission underway as of early 2025.

Technology & Innovation

Abrobo is a vascular interventional robotics firm based in Shenzhen, built on two decades of catheter-control research and featuring sub-millimeter precision with a fingertip-based COF interface.

Abrobo’s proprietary PANVIS COF® (Catheter-On-Finger) interface represents the company’s core technological differentiator. Unlike joystick or trackball-based controllers used in competing systems, COF replicates the natural finger motions interventionalists use when manipulating catheters and guidewires manually.

Key technical capabilities include:

• Multi-device synchronization: Simultaneous control of guidewire and catheter with coordinated rotational and translational movements
• Sub-millimeter precision: Incremental advancement control for navigating tortuous neurovascular anatomy
• Broad device compatibility: Support for 5F diagnostic catheters, 6F guiding catheters, and standard 0.035" guidewires
• Master-slave architecture: Complete physical isolation between operator and radiation field

The system addresses operational paths exceeding 70 centimeters from femoral access to intracranial targets—substantially longer than coronary applications and requiring higher precision standards.

Market Presence

Following NMPA approval of PANVIS-A in 2024, Abrobo entered the commercial phase for its neurointerventional platform. The company targets hospital departments performing diagnostic and therapeutic neurovascular procedures, with initial installations focused on major medical centers.

The broader pan-vascular robot market in China is projected to expand significantly as domestic systems gain regulatory approval and demonstrate clinical utility. According to the China Cardiovascular Health and Disease Report 2023, approximately 330 million Chinese patients have cardiovascular or cerebrovascular conditions, creating substantial demand for interventional procedures.

Key Milestones

• 2008: Founding team develops world’s first neurointerventional robot prototype in Japan
• 2020: Abrobo established in Shenzhen
• 2023: Completes ¥100 million Series A financing led by Guozhong Capital
• 2024 (May): Assists in record-distance remote PCI procedure (5,200 km)
• 2024 (August): PANVIS-A receives NMPA Class III approval
• 2024 (Q4): PANVIS Star coronary intervention trials completed
• 2025: RCT results published in JNIS, demonstrating 96% radiation reduction

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of procedures can PANVIS robots perform?

PANVIS-A is approved for diagnostic cerebral angiography. The upcoming PANVIS Star platform targets coronary interventions (PCI), with planned expansion to peripheral vascular and additional neurovascular therapeutic procedures including stenting and mechanical thrombectomy.

How does Abrobo’s technology differ from other interventional robots?

The PANVIS COF® fingertip interface preserves natural catheter manipulation motions rather than translating them through joysticks or buttons. This design aims to flatten the learning curve for experienced interventionalists while providing sub-millimeter precision. The system also enables complete “zero-radiation” operation by physically isolating physicians from the procedure room.

Is Abrobo publicly traded?

No. As of early 2026, Abrobo remains privately held, having completed multiple financing rounds totaling approximately $45.6 million according to PitchBook data. Investors include Guozhong Capital, Lenovo Capital, CDH Investments, and Chang’an Capital.