This year, we introduced the first Global Robotic Challenge, challenging robotic users across the world to participate in a fun competition with their peers. Participants were timed while loading the CorPath GRX Single-use Cassette – from wire to balloon – in a practice setting. With over 50 contestants, we’re proud to announce Dale Southard from WellSpan York Hospital as the winner of the first Global Robotic Challenge. Dale completed the challenge in 44 seconds! The team at York has been incredibly successful with vascular robotics, upgrading their system in 2017 and completing over 200 robotic procedures! We caught up with Dale to hear his thoughts on learning robotic technology and how he sharpened his skills to win the challenge.

Each year the RBR50 Awards recognize leading robotics companies with innovative products that have successfully transformed their vertical markets. The 2019 list, released today, includes Corindus Vascular Robotics in the Emerging Markets category for healthcare – joining other groundbreaking companies that are changing the future of robotics. The annual list recognizes companies whose robotic and automated products offer solutions to the world’s most complex problems.

5G networks are the next generation of mobile internet connectivity, offering faster speeds and more reliable connections than ever before. 5G networks will help provide the infrastructure needed to carry huge amounts of data, allowing for a smarter and more connected world.  The ability to combine this technology with robotics has the potential to change the treatment paradigm in healthcare, offering patients quick access to skilled specialists across the globe.

While some may be wary of the increasing implementation of robotics in the medical realm, the airline industry offers a great mind-easing comparison. In the early days, pilots were entirely responsible for a plane’s navigation, and rates of crashes and unforeseen travel errors were higher than today. With the eventual incorporation of computers and navigation tools, pilots altered their skill set to incorporate technology, ultimately resulting in safer air travel. Although they have the capabilities, if needed, to maneuver a plane manually, they are currently taught to utilize technology for more efficient travel. While pilots may use their skill set differently now, technology aids them tremendously — individuals can go farther, faster, and smoother, to the credit of these innovations.

The Fast Company World Changing Ideas Awards recognize trailblazing companies aiming to tackle immense world issues such as climate change or population health, with past winners including a startup with an electric airplane and the Netflix documentary Chasing Coral. 

Out of a field of over 2,000 entries, Fast Company editors, writers, and outside judges selected Corindus Vascular Robotics as a finalist in the Developing World Technology and Health and Wellness categories. Our “world changing idea” is redefining telemedicine from strictly a diagnostic tool to a means to treat patients remotely via “tele-treatment.” Corindus is paving the way for large-scale, long-distance telerobotic intervention platforms across the globe.

Yash Soni, Assistant Manager of Cath Lab Operations and Chief Technologist at Apex Heart, played a significant role on the core team involved in the Telerobotic Intervention Study. This study marked the first-in-human remote robotic PCI, where interventional cardiologist Dr. Tejas Patel, was located approximately 20 miles away from patients undergoing treatment at the Apex Heart Institute.

Yash and the Apex Heart team became robotic experts after installing CorPath GRX in December 2017, completing over 300 robotic PCI cases. Building a strong foundation of robotic knowledge is the first key step to tackling remote procedures in the future. The team at Apex Heart committed to this philosophy by embracing robotic technology and understanding the impact that remote robotic treatment could have to improve patient care in underserved populations with geographic barriers to treatment.

Learn more about Yash and the robotic program at Apex Heart below.

February is designated as American Heart Month and health organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) use this time to educate the public about heart disease. Starting in 1963, this annual event is focused on encouraging Americans to battle against heart disease through open communication and proper prevention methods.