Kai Microsurgical Robot

Developed by Angtai Microfine, the Kai microsurgical robot represents a platform system designed to enable surgical procedures requiring precision beyond human hand capabilities. The system addresses the fundamental limitation of physiological hand tremor—approximately 100 micrometers—that restricts surgeons from performing certain ultra-fine procedures.

Product Overview

The Kai system functions as a general-purpose microsurgical platform applicable across multiple surgical specialties including reconstructive surgery, maxillofacial surgery, hand surgery, and vascular microsurgery. Rather than replacing existing surgical robots, Kai complements systems like orthopedic, laparoscopic, and vascular intervention robots by handling high-precision portions of procedures that other platforms cannot address.

The robot’s master-slave teleoperation design allows surgeons to work with natural hand movements while the system filters tremor and scales motion to achieve sub-micrometer precision at the instrument tip.

Key Features

Designed for supermicrosurgery on vessels as small as 0.3mm, the Kai robot eliminates physiological hand tremor through sub-micrometer precision control with 7-degree-of-freedom wrist instruments at only 2mm diameter.

• Tremor-Free Operation: First surgical robot globally to achieve completely tremor-free operation throughout procedures, eliminating the approximately 100-micrometer physiological tremor inherent in human hands

• Sub-Micrometer Precision: Single-step motion accuracy at the sub-micrometer level, enabling work on structures invisible to the naked eye under microscope magnification

• World’s Smallest Wrist Instruments: 2mm diameter wrist-type forceps—the smallest available globally—enabling access to confined surgical spaces

• 7 Degrees of Freedom: Wrist-type joint design provides maximum flexibility for complex microsurgical maneuvers in tight anatomical spaces

• Compact Footprint: System volume approximately 7 times smaller than da Vinci platforms, requiring minimal operating room reconfiguration and enabling rapid deployment between rooms

Technical Specifications

Designed for microsurgical procedures beyond unaided human capability, the Kai system reaches sub-micrometer tip accuracy using 2mm wrist forceps across 7 degrees of freedom — in a footprint roughly one-seventh the size of conventional surgical robot platforms.

Clinical Applications

The Kai system enables procedures at the boundary of human surgical capability:

Supermicrosurgery Applications

• Lymphatic vessel anastomosis (vessels <0.8mm diameter)
• Lymphovenous bypass for lymphedema treatment
• Capillary repair in free flap reconstruction

Reconstructive Surgery

• Free tissue transfer with ultra-small vessel anastomosis
• Complex flap procedures requiring multiple vessel connections
• Perforator flap surgery

Maxillofacial Surgery

• Microvascular reconstruction
• Nerve repair and grafting
• Complex soft tissue reconstruction

Hand Surgery

• Digital replantation
• Nerve repair
• Tendon reconstruction with microvascular supply

The system has been developed in collaboration with clinical teams at Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Ningbo No.6 People’s Hospital, and Peking University School of Stomatology.

Regulatory Status

As of 2024, the Kai system entered animal testing. The company is pursuing NMPA registration and plans to establish U.S. operations for FDA clearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What procedures can the Kai robot perform?

The Kai system is designed for microsurgical procedures requiring precision beyond human hand capabilities, including lymphatic vessel anastomosis on vessels as small as 0.3mm, complex reconstructive microsurgery, maxillofacial reconstruction, and hand surgery including digital replantation. The platform can also complement other surgical robots by handling high-precision portions of combined procedures.

How does Kai compare to other microsurgical robots?

Globally, only two microsurgical robot systems have achieved CE certification: MMI’s Symani and Microsure’s MUSA. Kai differentiates through its completely tremor-free operation (claimed as a global first), sub-micrometer precision, and compact footprint approximately 7 times smaller than conventional surgical robot platforms.

Is the Kai robot commercially available?

The Kai system is currently in clinical/registration phase in China. The company is pursuing NMPA approval and planning FDA registration through a planned U.S. subsidiary.