The next frontier in interventional surgeries

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to save lives.

One such instance is the use of robotic systems in interventional surgery to improve precision, flexibility and control in more complex procedures.

For Physics alumnus turned technopreneur Joe Wu, his journey towards this goal began with building Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) to assist doctors in choosing the optimal treatment – either thrombolysis or thrombectomy – for stroke patients. In the process, he discovered a significant gap – most hospitals can administer thrombolysis but only a small number can perform thrombectomy. For those needing thrombectomy but not receiving it, the mortality rates are high. 

Joe says, “This eye-opening discovery motivated us to innovate and address this critical need, with a vision to make advanced stroke treatment accessible to all.”

Qubot Technology was born from this vision. The core of its innovation involves training deep learning models for automated control of a catheter using electromagnetism. AI is integral to the entire process – from constructing three dimensional (3D) models of blood vessels and planning the catheter’s path from the femoral artery to the clot in the brain, to autonomously controlling the catheter along this path with high precision. 

Joe believes that Qubot Technology has the potential to transform interventional procedures.   

He says, “By simplifying thrombectomies and enabling remote surgical procedures – which can be extended to underserved communities – these advances will have a profound impact on improving patient outcomes and saving lives.”

Joe plans to eventually expand his technology beyond the brain to encompass the heart and the entire vascular system.