Tuoshu Percutaneous Surgical Robot

The Tuoshu® Percutaneous Surgical Robot (NP100) extends Tuodao Medical’s portfolio into the growing interventional robotics segment. Approved by NMPA in 2023 following successful clinical trials completed in 2022, the system addresses the clinical need for improved needle placement accuracy in image-guided percutaneous procedures.

Product Overview

Tuoshu® (佗术, meaning “healing technique”) is designed to assist physicians in percutaneous interventional procedures requiring precise needle trajectory planning and execution. The robot provides mechanical assistance for needle positioning based on CT or other imaging guidance, reducing variability associated with freehand needle placement while potentially decreasing procedure time and patient radiation exposure.

Percutaneous procedures—where instruments pass through the skin to access internal targets—require accurate trajectory planning to avoid critical structures while reaching therapeutic or diagnostic targets. Manual execution of these planned trajectories introduces human error, particularly in complex cases involving small targets or challenging access paths.

Key Features

For interventional radiology and oncology teams, Tuodao Medical’s Tuoshu® provides CT-guided robotic needle positioning that reduces trajectory variability and the number of verification scans needed.

• Image-guided planning: Integration with CT imaging for target identification and trajectory planning
• Robotic needle guidance: Mechanical positioning assistance for planned needle trajectory
• Real-time verification: Position monitoring during procedure execution
• Radiation reduction potential: Fewer verification scans needed with robotic precision

Technical Specifications

Approved by NMPA in 2023 as a Class III medical device, Tuoshu® (NP100) guides percutaneous needle placement under CT imaging for diagnostic biopsy and therapeutic intervention procedures.

Clinical Applications

The Tuoshu system targets applications across multiple specialties where percutaneous access is required:

Diagnostic Procedures

Image-guided biopsy procedures benefit from improved needle placement accuracy, potentially increasing diagnostic yield while reducing the number of needle passes required to obtain adequate tissue samples.

Therapeutic Interventions

Ablation procedures, drainage catheter placement, and other therapeutic percutaneous interventions can use robotic guidance for improved targeting accuracy.

Regulatory Status

Market Context

The percutaneous surgical robot market in China has seen significant activity, with multiple domestic companies developing competing systems. According to industry analysis, over ten Chinese companies have introduced percutaneous intervention robots, including established players and emerging startups. Tuodao’s entry positions the company alongside other domestic manufacturers while leveraging its existing hospital relationships from orthopedic robot installations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What procedures can Tuoshu assist with?

Tuoshu is designed for percutaneous interventional procedures requiring image-guided needle placement. Specific applications may include diagnostic biopsies and therapeutic interventions across various anatomical regions, though detailed approved indications should be confirmed with the manufacturer.

How does Tuoshu integrate with imaging systems?

The system is designed for CT-guided procedures, allowing physicians to plan needle trajectories based on diagnostic imaging and execute those plans with robotic assistance. Integration with Tuodao’s own C-arm systems may provide additional workflow options.

When was Tuoshu approved?

Tuoshu (NP100) received NMPA approval in 2023 following clinical trial completion in 2022.