Toumai Tele-Robotic Surgical System

Toumai Product Family: Toumai Multi-Port (Standard) | Toumai SP (Single-Port) | Toumai Tele-Robotic (Remote Surgery)

The Toumai Tele-Robotic Surgical System became the world’s first commercially approved remote surgery platform when it received NMPA market approval in May 2025. The system enables surgeons to perform robot-assisted procedures on patients located thousands of kilometers away, having completed nearly 500 remote surgical procedures with 100% success rate across six continents.

Product Overview

MicroPort MedBot developed the tele-surgery capability to address two fundamental challenges that had prevented commercial adoption of remote robotic surgery: compatibility with existing network infrastructure and feasibility of large-scale deployment. The approved system operates across multiple communication technologies including dedicated lines, 5G networks, conventional internet, high-orbit satellites, and low-orbit satellites.

The platform builds on the established Toumai laparoscopic robot architecture, adding specialized components for ultra-low latency image compression, multi-dimensional data encryption, and adaptive network optimization. This enables consistent surgical performance regardless of the underlying communication infrastructure.

Key Features

For remote surgical access across underserved regions, MicroPort MedBot’s Toumai Tele-Robotic System operates over 5G, satellite, and standard internet with bidirectional latency under 150ms for intercontinental procedures.

• Multi-Network Compatibility: Operates across 5G, dedicated lines, standard internet, and satellite communications without requiring specialized infrastructure
• Ultra-Low Latency: Bidirectional latency under 50ms for inter-provincial procedures, under 150ms for intercontinental operations
• Encrypted Data Transmission: Multi-layered security protocols protect patient data and surgical control signals
• Adaptive Optimization: Real-time algorithms adjust to network conditions to maintain surgical precision
• Scalable Deployment: Designed for large-scale clinical implementation rather than demonstration-only use

Technical Specifications

NMPA-approved in May 2025, this system achieved 100% procedural success across nearly 500 remote surgeries spanning six continents, with inter-provincial latency below 50ms.

Clinical Applications

The tele-surgery system has been validated across the full range of procedures supported by the Toumai platform:

Remote Surgical Milestones Achieved:

• World’s first vehicle-mounted tele-surgery
• Ultra-remote lung tumor resection
• Intercontinental hepatectomy (July 2025, crossing from Asia to another continent)
• First satellite-based remote hepatectomy using both high-orbit and low-orbit satellites
• Serial remote prostatectomy procedures in Africa

Clinical applications span hepatobiliary surgery, urology, and general surgery, with procedures successfully completed in China, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and other regions.

Regulatory Status

The NMPA approval marks a global regulatory milestone, as no other tele-surgery system had previously achieved commercial authorization for clinical use.

Global Network Infrastructure

MicroPort MedBot has established the world’s first and only intercontinental telesurgery network, currently spanning:

• Six continents
• Over 100 countries and regions
• Multiple communication modalities

The network has supported nearly 400 remote surgical procedures prior to commercial approval, demonstrating reliable performance across diverse geographic and infrastructure conditions. Network performance testing confirmed consistent latency metrics across varied scenarios including cross-provincial, cross-carrier, cross-national, and intercontinental configurations.

Healthcare Access Implications

Tele-surgery technology addresses geographic disparities in surgical expertise by enabling specialists at major medical centers to operate on patients at distant facilities. This reduces patient transfer requirements, associated medical costs, and treatment delays. The platform supports remote collaboration between surgical teams and institutions, potentially expanding access to advanced surgical care in underserved regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does tele-surgery maintain safety with network delays?

The system incorporates multiple safety protocols including predictive algorithms, motion smoothing, and automatic pause mechanisms if latency exceeds safe thresholds. The sub-150ms intercontinental latency remains well within acceptable parameters for precise surgical control.

What happens if network connection is interrupted?

The system includes fail-safe mechanisms that halt robotic motion if communication is disrupted, preventing uncontrolled instrument movement. Procedures can resume once connectivity is restored.

Which types of surgery can be performed remotely?

The platform supports the full range of Toumai-compatible procedures including hepatectomy, prostatectomy, nephrectomy, gastrectomy, and other laparoscopic surgeries across urology, general surgery, thoracic surgery, and gynecology.