Jieruo Vascular Interventional Robot

Developed by Jieruo Medical Technology (Shanghai), this first-generation vascular interventional robot assists interventional cardiologists in performing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures with sub-millimeter positioning accuracy. The system completed multi-center registration clinical trials in 2023, demonstrating effectiveness across both simple and complex coronary lesions.

Product Overview

The Jieruo Vascular Interventional Robot represents the company’s entry into the surgical robotics market, building on its established expertise in interventional medical consumables. The system employs a master-slave architecture where physicians operate from a shielded control console while the robotic arm manipulates guidewires, balloons, and stents within the patient’s coronary vasculature.

Designed to address key challenges in conventional PCI procedures—including physician radiation exposure, procedural variability, and precision limitations during cardiac motion—the robot offers an alternative approach to catheter-based coronary interventions.

Key Features

Validated in multi-center registration clinical trials completed in 2023, this Jieruo vascular robot performs coronary stent placement and angioplasty with sub-millimeter positioning accuracy from a radiation-shielded remote console.

• Sub-millimeter Positioning: The system achieves sub-millimeter micro-adjustment capability, critical for accurate stent deployment when vessel position shifts approximately 1mm with each cardiac cycle

• Dual Compatibility Design: Operates with both proprietary robotic consumables developed by Jieruo Medical and conventional interventional instruments, providing procedural flexibility

• Remote Operation Console: Physicians control the procedure from a shielded workstation, reducing cumulative radiation exposure during lengthy or complex interventions

• Procedural Efficiency: Clinical feedback indicates reduced procedure times for complex cases and decreased operator fatigue compared to manual techniques

Technical Specifications

Validated across 40+ procedures at Wuhan University People’s Hospital, this master-slave system achieves sub-millimeter coronary positioning with a radiation-shielded remote console supporting both proprietary and conventional instruments.

Note: Detailed specifications have not been publicly disclosed. Values represent publicly available descriptions from clinical reports.

Clinical Applications

The system targets the following coronary intervention procedures:

Primary Indications:

• Coronary artery stent implantation
• Balloon angioplasty (PTCA)
• Guidewire navigation through coronary anatomy

Complex Lesion Support:

• Bifurcation lesions
• Calcified lesions
• Angulated vessel segments
• Near-total occlusions

Clinical investigators noted the robot’s three-dimensional understanding of vessel anatomy provides advantages over conventional two-dimensional fluoroscopic visualization, enabling more confident guidewire manipulation through tortuous segments.

Clinical Trial Data

Multi-center registration clinical trials were conducted at Wuhan University People’s Hospital Cardiovascular Disease Hospital, one of Central China’s highest-volume vascular intervention centers.

Trial Highlights:

• Over 40 procedures completed during trial period
• Progression from simple to complex lesion cases
• Principal investigators: Professor Jiang Xuejun (Director), Dr. Qu Zhe

Professor Jiang Xuejun summarized clinical observations: the system demonstrates flexibility, convenience, and remote control capability with enhanced procedural precision through sub-millimeter micro-adjustment. Benefits include shortened complex procedure times, reduced radiation exposure for both physicians and patients, decreased operator fatigue, and improved surgical efficiency.

Regulatory Status

The company completed registration clinical trial enrollment in 2023 and was preparing NMPA submission as of late 2023. Current approval status has not been independently confirmed.

Competitive Positioning

The Jieruo system enters a market with several domestic competitors:

Jieruo Medical differentiates through its consumables integration strategy, positioning the robot within a broader interventional product ecosystem rather than as standalone equipment.

Future Development

The company has disclosed ongoing development of next-generation systems:

• Second-Generation Portable Robot: Smaller form factor with projected exponential cost reduction; animal trials underway
• Third-Generation Autonomous System: Early-stage planning for fully automated intervention capability

Technical Director Hong Jiong has indicated future systems will incorporate advanced three-dimensional imaging and automatic positioning technology to address more complex lesions and potentially enable true autonomous operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What precision level does the Jieruo robot achieve?

The system provides sub-millimeter positioning accuracy, enabling precise stent deployment despite vessel movement of approximately 1mm during cardiac cycles.

Can the robot use standard interventional devices?

Yes, the system is designed with dual compatibility, supporting both Jieruo Medical’s proprietary robotic consumables and conventional interventional instruments such as standard guidewires, balloons, and stents.

When will the Jieruo robot receive NMPA approval?

Registration clinical trials were completed in 2023 with NMPA submission in preparation. Approval was anticipated in the 2024-2025 timeframe, though current status has not been confirmed.

How does the robot reduce radiation exposure?

Physicians operate from a shielded remote console rather than standing directly beside the patient during fluoroscopy, substantially reducing cumulative radiation dose during procedures.