PANVIS-A NeuroInterventional Robotic System

PANVIS-A represents the first commercially available neurointerventional robotic system developed entirely in China, receiving NMPA Class III medical device approval in August 2024. The platform enables physicians to perform diagnostic cerebral angiography from a radiation-shielded control station, addressing occupational radiation exposure that accumulates over interventionalists’ careers.

Product Overview

Developed by Abrobo (爱博合创), PANVIS-A addresses a specific gap in the interventional robotics market: neurovascular procedures. While coronary interventional robots from Siemens Healthineers (CorPath) and others have achieved commercial deployment, neurovascular applications present distinct challenges including longer operative paths (often exceeding 70 cm from femoral access to intracranial targets) and more tortuous vessel anatomy.

The system operates in a master-slave configuration, with the physician manipulating catheter and guidewire controls at a shielded workstation while a bedside robotic unit executes movements on the patient. This architecture enables “remote room” or “zero-radiation” operation, completely eliminating physician radiation exposure during procedures.

Key Features

Approved in China in August 2024, PANVIS-A reduces operator radiation exposure by 96% during diagnostic cerebral angiography through master-slave remote operation.

• PANVIS COF® Fingertip Interface: Proprietary control system that replicates natural finger motions used in manual catheter manipulation, rather than abstracting them through joysticks or buttons

• Multi-Device Synchronization: Simultaneous coordinated control of guidewire and catheter, enabling complex combined movements including rotational delivery and retraction

• Sub-Millimeter Precision: Incremental advancement capability for navigating tortuous cerebral vasculature with precision exceeding manual manipulation

• Complete Radiation Isolation: Master console placement outside the procedure room enables zero operator radiation exposure

• Preserved Tactile Logic: Control interface designed to preserve experienced interventionalists’ muscle memory and operational habits

Technical Specifications

Approved under registration 国械注准20243011574, PANVIS-A supports 5F catheters and 0.035-inch guidewires with sub-millimeter precision and under-10-minute sterile setup.

Clinical Applications

PANVIS-A is approved for diagnostic cerebral angiography, the foundational imaging procedure for neurovascular disease assessment. During diagnostic angiography, contrast dye is injected through catheters navigated to cerebral vessels, enabling X-ray visualization of vascular anatomy, aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and stenotic lesions.

The system’s primary clinical value proposition centers on radiation protection. A multicenter RCT published in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery demonstrated:

• 96% reduction in primary operator radiation dose (1.67 μSv vs 43.63 μSv manual)
• 100% clinical success rate in both robotic and manual groups
• Non-inferior technical success for super-selective vessel cannulation

These findings have particular significance given the cumulative radiation exposure interventionalists face over decades of practice, with associated risks of cataracts, thyroid dysfunction, and malignancy.

Regulatory Status

PANVIS-A received NMPA Class III medical device registration on August 23, 2024, following completion of a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial. The RCT was registered as NCT05778214 and conducted at four centers: Changhai Hospital (lead site), Wenzhou Central Hospital, Zhangzhou Municipal Hospital of Fujian Province, and Zhuhai People’s Hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions

What procedures can PANVIS-A perform?

Currently, PANVIS-A is approved for diagnostic cerebral angiography. Abrobo has indicated plans to expand indications to therapeutic neurovascular procedures including stenting and mechanical thrombectomy, with upgraded delivery systems already in development.

How much radiation reduction does PANVIS-A provide?

Clinical trial data showed 96% reduction in primary operator radiation exposure compared to conventional manual procedures. The system enables complete “zero-radiation” operation by allowing physicians to control the procedure from outside the radiation field.

How long does it take to learn the PANVIS system?

According to clinical investigators, the COF fingertip interface preserves natural catheter manipulation motions, resulting in a short learning curve. Physicians familiar with manual intervention techniques can typically achieve proficiency after brief training sessions, as the control logic mirrors their existing skills rather than requiring fundamentally new motor patterns.