Asan Medical Center Pioneers Robotic Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) with Aviar
Asan Medical Center proudly announced a significant leap in cardiovascular treatment, successfully utilizing a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) support robot to treat an angina patient. This landmark achievement signals the dawn of physical artificial intelligence in Korea’s medical landscape, setting a new standard for advanced patient care.
Under the expert leadership of Dr. Ahn Jung-min, a dedicated team at Asan Medical Center performed the groundbreaking procedure on a 56-year-old patient suffering from a complex coronary lesion. The treatment was successfully carried out using Aviar, Korea’s pioneering PCI support robot, a testament to the hospital’s unparalleled technological expertise and innovative spirit. Remarkably, the patient experienced a swift and full recovery, being discharged just one day post-procedure without complications.
This successful intervention marks one of the inaugural real-world clinical applications of a Korean-developed robotic system in the field of coronary interventions. This sector has historically been dominated by imported technologies and advanced robots from countries like the United States, Germany, and France, making Aviar’s success a significant national achievement in medical innovation.
Initially conceptualized in 2019, Aviar has evolved through numerous upgrades, culminating in its crucial regulatory approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in February 2023. Following extensive testing in clinical research settings across major hospitals, Aviar earned its prestigious designation as an innovative medical technology in December 2024, solidifying its place at the forefront of medical advancements.
What truly distinguishes Aviar from its international counterparts is its world-first multichannel platform. This revolutionary design enables the simultaneous mounting and precise control of up to five interventional devices – including guidewires, balloons, and stents. This unparalleled capability empowers physicians to execute highly precise procedures with exceptional dexterity, even when faced with the most challenging and complex coronary interventions.
Beyond its mechanical prowess, Aviar integrates real-time AI-based imaging guidance, significantly enhancing procedural accuracy while simultaneously minimizing the need for contrast agents, thus improving patient safety. Furthermore, its advanced AI-driven computing system offers critical decision-making support by meticulously analyzing vascular curvature and delivering invaluable real-time procedural data, optimizing every step of the intervention.
“The remarkable success of this procedure unequivocally demonstrates the safety and exceptional precision of Korean-developed PCI robots,” stated Dr. Ahn Jung-min. He added, “Our commitment at Asan Medical Center is to continuously build upon this clinical evidence and further refine robotic-assisted techniques, ultimately broadening their application to transform an even wider spectrum of cardiovascular procedures and patient outcomes.”
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