Shanghai, China --- A case of robot-assisted mediastinal tumor resection was completed in Shanghai Chest Hospital on December 16, 2021, with Toumai^® Laparoscopic Surgical Robot (Toumai^®) independently developed by Shanghai MicroPort MedBot (Group) Co., Ltd. (MicroPort^® MedBot^®). The surgery was performed by Professor Qingquan Luo. Robot-assisted mediastinal tumor resection is advantageous in more accurate positioning, less trauma, clearer vision, more flexible and stable operation, etc., which achieves full resection of tumor and more thorough clearing of anterior mediastinal fat, and reduces intraoperative and postoperative complications, thus improving the postoperative efficacy of tumor and tumor-related diseases. So far, Shanghai Chest Hospital has taken the lead in completing the surgery case of confirmatory clinical trial of the center, symbolizing the phased progress made with Toumai^® in multi-disciplinary and multi-center clinical trials.

In the early animal experiments, Toumai^® can not only smoothly and freely conduct routine operations such as lobectomy, but also complete complicated operations such as sleeve-type resection of lung cancer. Shanghai Chest Hospital is the primary investigator of thoracic surgery for clinical trials with Toumai^® and started to conduct the clinical study with Chinese-developed surgical robots on November 23, 2021, after summarizing the experience of previous animal experiments. Under the leadership of Prof. Qingquan Luo, and with the joint efforts of Dr. Jiantao Li, Dr. Long Jiang, Dr. Paige Lu, Dr. Yu Tian, and the strong support of head nurse Qing Zhao, all the clinical enrollment cases were completed in less than one month, and the surgical mode has covered the complicated and difficult operations, such as resection of pulmonary lobes and segments.

The wrist surgical system of Toumai^® is highly flexible, and the independently developed laparoscopic system provides a more stereoscopic and real surgical vision. Its intuitive master-slave teleoperation system is sensitive and easy to use and can filter out the unconscious tremor of human hands and add to the simplification of precise dissociation and suture, thus simplifying the surgery procedure and shortening the duration of surgery. Surgeons with rich experience in laparoscopic surgery can quickly master the Chinese-developed Toumai^® laparoscopic surgical robot, thus shortening the learning curve significantly.

Professor Qingquan Luo expressed that, "Shanghai Chest Hospital has been paying close attention to emerging research directions in the field of robotics and has been in close communication with MicroPort^® MedBot^®. We hope that the robot technology will provide the patients with better treatment results, better surgical experience and better quality of life. This clinical study has fully demonstrated the performance superiority of Toumai^® in thoracic surgery. Meanwhile, the research and development team, clinical team and customer service team of Toumai^® provided professional supports through fast and impressive responses. We look forward to the early marketization of Toumai^®, strengthening of intelligent manufacturing of China, and benefiting of more patients.”

Mr. Yu Liu, Chief Commercial Officer of MicroPort^® MedBot^®, said, "Shanghai Chest Hospital has always led the country in robot-assisted thoracic surgery. Its annual operation volume ranks first in China for multiple years, accumulating rich and mature clinical treatment experience. Based on the resources of the chest hospital, and under the leadership of Professor Qingquan Luo, an expert in thoracic surgery, the team continued to explore the minimal-invasive surgeries with Toumai® and completed all cases of confirmatory clinical surgery within one month. It is an important milestone for multidisciplinary and multi-center clinical trial with Toumai^®. MicroPort^® MedBot^® will continue to strengthen collaboration with clinical experts, constantly innovate iterative products, and provide doctors and patients with high-quality, universal robotic intelligent surgical solutions to Make Surgery Easier, Safer and Less Invasive!”