Penza, 7 March 2018. PenzaNews. The first in Russia operation on an animal using a unique robot-assisted surgical system of domestic production was performed at the premises of the preclinical research centre in Penza.

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The mobile device, which is by times smaller than its foreign counterparts, was delivered to the city in advance – in the evening of March 4. Its first assembly took about two hours.

On Wednesday, March 7, correspondent member of the Russian Academy of Science, chief urologist of the Ministry of Health of Russia, M.D. Dmitry Pushkar with the help of the latest device removed a cystic ovary of a pig named Rosa aged five and a half months, who previously underwent anaesthesia. He operated the robot with his hands using two manipulators and feet using special pedals.

Developers of the robot – engineers of Institute for Design and Technology Informatics of the Russian Academy of Science and Penza specialists including surgeon, professor of the surgery and endoscopy chair of Penza Institute for Advanced Doctors Training Anatoly Baulin watched the operation providing technical support.

The staff of the preclinical research centre were responsible for preparation of the experimental operation and provided anaesthesia support.

The surgery, which was the first stage of preclinical research, was successful and took about 30 minutes.

During the work the procedure was broadcast on screens installed in operating theatre not only in 2D but also in 3D, which allowed the doctors to feel the display depth of the image broadcast from the abdominal cavity of the animal more clearly.

Director of Institute for Design and Technology Informatics of the Russian Academy of Science Sergei Sheptunov explained that unlike the Da Vince robot-assisted surgical system, on the basis of which most modern devices are constructed, the Russian robot is not mechanical but digital.

"This is an opportunity to improve the robotic surgery as such and to lay the groundwork for intellectual robotic surgery, for surgery that involves elements of artificial intelligence and many other things," he noted adding that the domestic robot allows operating more precisely than its foreign counterparts.

Sergei Sheptunov said that the device was not named yet because it needs improvement to eliminate all drawbacks.

"We plan to visit Penza repeatedly. We like it here, it is very convenient," he said specifying that the robot will be brought to the city for each operation.

The head of the institute explained that the specialists have been working on the robot for five years and the first industrial sample is planned to be produced in about two years.

After a short break the doctors also tested a Russian thulium fibre laser, which can be optionally connected to the new robot. The feature of the device is that the emission is conducted using very fine optical fibres, which can even be tied in a knot.

Commenting on the facilities available in Penza Dmitry Pushkar said that the local technology park is one of the most advanced in Russia.

"We did want to perform the operation in Penza, with all our friends, with competent people, at the place where everything was created for this purpose," he emphasized.

The chief urologist of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation also drew attention to the fact that before the operation the team had expected that it would take them 8 hours instead of 30 minutes. In addition, it was unclear how many people and instruments will be required.

In turn, director of the preclinical research centre Irina Efimova said that after the operation the animal will be able to stand up and move in 4-5 hours after recovery from anaesthesia.

She noted that the research carried out at the premises of the high-technology park Rameev became possible thanks to the collaboration with the government of the Penza region and the regional Ministry of Health.

In the evening on March 7 the pig is planned to be transferred to the Akhuny neighbourhood – under the supervision of students and staff of Penza State Agricultural University.

LLC Preclinical Research Centre is included in Penza cluster BioMed. LLC Cluster Development Centre provides support to enterprises-members of the cluster.