Cleave Bird Ophthalmic Surgical Robot

Cleave Bird (克利伯德®) is a high-precision ophthalmic surgical robot developed by Weimu Medical, engineered to address one of the most significant challenges in retinal surgery: physiological hand tremor. The system achieves sub-10μm repeatability precision, enabling surgeons to perform delicate posterior segment procedures with stability beyond human hand capabilities.

Product Overview

Traditional retinal surgery requires surgeons to manipulate instruments within the eye—a space measured in millimeters—while contending with involuntary hand movements that can exceed 100μm in amplitude. Cleave Bird’s robotic assistance filters these physiological tremors, translating the surgeon’s intended movements with micron-level fidelity.

The system positions itself as a “femtosecond-like” device for retinal surgery, drawing parallel to how femtosecond lasers transformed anterior segment procedures by introducing precision previously unattainable through manual techniques.

Key Features

Designed for vitreoretinal surgery where hand tremor can exceed 100μm, Cleave Bird’s serial-parallel hybrid arm maintains sub-10μm repeatability while force-feedback keeps instruments safely anchored at the scleral entry site.

• Serial-Parallel Hybrid Architecture: Proprietary robotic design combining workspace flexibility with the stability required for ophthalmic microsurgery
• 5 Degrees of Freedom: Full manipulation range within the confined surgical space of the eye
• Sub-10μm Repeatability: Precision specification approximately 10× better than typical surgeon hand stability
• Tremor Filtration: Active compensation for physiological hand movements
• Remote Center of Motion (RCM): Maintains rotation around a fixed point at the scleral entry site
• Force Feedback: Real-time haptic feedback with dynamic RCM adjustment for surgical safety
• Modular End Effector: Intraoperative instrument exchange capability

Technical Specifications

Designed with a 5-DOF serial-parallel hybrid architecture, Cleave Bird reaches sub-10μm repeatability with dynamic remote-center-of-motion control and force feedback, enabling subretinal injections into vessels as small as 0.3mm.

Clinical Applications

The Cleave Bird system targets high-difficulty ophthalmic procedures:

Vitreoretinal Surgery: Membrane peeling, vitrectomy assistance, and epiretinal membrane removal where precision determines visual outcome

Subretinal Injection: Critical for emerging gene therapy delivery where needle placement accuracy directly affects therapeutic efficacy and safety

Intravitreal Injection: Standardizing injection procedures while minimizing tissue trauma

Corneal Transplantation: Lamellar and penetrating keratoplasty with enhanced precision

Cataract Surgery: Potential application in complex or pediatric cases

Development Status

Preclinical Phase (Completed):

• Type inspection passed (first ophthalmic surgical robot in China)
• Animal studies completed in rabbits and primates
• Multiple successful subretinal injections in experimental animals

Clinical Phase (Ongoing):

• Registration clinical trials initiated in late 2023
• NMPA filing expected in 2024

Remote Surgery Validation:

• June 2023: World’s first 5G remote micron-level ophthalmic surgery performed between Guangzhou (operator) and Hainan (patient)
• One-month postoperative follow-up confirmed successful outcome

Regulatory Status

Competitive Positioning

The global ophthalmic surgical robot field remains nascent compared to orthopedic or laparoscopic robotics. International competitors include:

• Preceyes (Netherlands): PRECEYES Surgical System for vitreoretinal surgery
• ForSight Robotics (Israel): ORYOM system

Weimu Medical’s Cleave Bird differentiates through its serial-parallel hybrid architecture and 5G remote surgery capability, potentially enabling specialist expertise to reach underserved regions where trained retinal surgeons remain scarce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the precision of the Cleave Bird robot?

The system maintains repeatability precision below 10 micrometers, which is approximately 10 times more stable than typical human hand movements during microsurgery.

Can Cleave Bird perform surgery remotely?

Yes, the 5G Remote Surgery System demonstrated successful remote ophthalmic surgery in June 2023, with the surgical team in Guangzhou operating on a patient in Hainan Province.

When will Cleave Bird receive NMPA approval?

Registration clinical trials began in late 2023. Based on typical regulatory timelines, NMPA approval could be expected in 2024-2025, pending successful trial completion.

What types of eye surgery can Cleave Bird assist with?

The system is designed for posterior segment procedures including vitreoretinal surgery, intravitreal and subretinal injections, corneal transplantation, and cataract surgery.