From AI diagnosis to robot-assisted surgery, healthcare is full of innovation. However, adopting these breakthroughs into daily clinical practice is often lagging behind. Such disconnection is particularly evident in surgical robotics, especially in the field of endovascular surgery.
This disturbing lag between innovation and adoption is evident in endovascular surgery where robotics has the potential to improve safety, accuracy and outcomes – but tested and approved innovations are still underutilized in daily clinical practice.
The gap between commitment and practice
Over the past decade, surgical robotics has made meaningful advances. These techniques provide higher accuracy, reduced complication rates, and significantly reduced fatigue levels for physicians. We have seen how robotic systems can reduce the risk of major complications, such as cardiac perforation, while significantly reducing radiation exposure to patients and care teams.
However, cardiac ablation surgery with more than 99% of heart arrhythmia is still performed manually. Despite compelling evidence that robotic navigation can provide excellent stability, enable more consistent lesions to develop and provide ergonomic advantages for operators.
Systemic barriers to adoption
Historically, high barriers to entry slow down robotics for electrophysiology integration. Hospitals face the challenges of long installation schedules, expensive infrastructure overhauls, and retraining professional staff. Even for institutions with potential, operational friction often makes the path forward unclear.
Fortunately, most of it changed. Modern systems are easier to install, better integrated into existing workflows, and more intuitive to use. The learning curve has narrowed, but outdated perceptions still exist. Decision makers often still think robotic platforms are expensive, disruptive, or too professional, even if reality changes.
Hidden cost of delay
When adopting a stall, the patient suffers. Manual ablation procedures often involve longer fluoroscopy times, resulting in higher cumulative radiation doses. Physicians also face avoidable occupational risks. Hospitals may miss out on opportunities to improve, simplify care and stand out in a crowded market.
These hidden costs are not as visible as capital expenditures, but are the same results.
Future opportunities
We stand at a turning point. As robotic systems become more and more accessible and health systems become more familiar with their value, the balance between innovation and adoption begins to tend. But to fully realize the benefits of this technology, we need more than just competent tools. We need institutional determination to challenge outdated assumptions and align the full potential of innovation with clinical operations.
Robotics has revolutionized areas such as orthopedics and laparoscopic surgery. Intravascular care should have the same leap. This technology exists. The evidence is strong. The challenge now is adoption.
Close innovation – Procurement gaps will require partnerships between industry, clinicians and health system leadership, but the benefits for patient care make it a priority worth pursuing.
Photo: Phonlamaiphoto, Getty Images
David Fischel has served as chairman of the 3D Positioning Committee since February 2017 and announced stock investment and aggressive strategic plans in September 2016. In addition to his research responsibilities, David is deeply involved in all aspects of the company’s operations, including law, accounting, IT, compliance, human resources and marketing. Prior to joining Dafna Capital, he was a research analyst at the healthcare venture capital fund SCP Vitalalife. David completed his BS Magna cum Laude at the University of California of Los Angeles, and earned a major in accounting at Los Angeles, and earned an MBA from Bar-Ilan University in Tel Aviv.
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