Despite decades of successful robotic-assisted surgeries globally that have positively impacted millions of patients, the access is scarce at large. The dominant current robotic system is expensive and associated with a steep learning curve, resulting in the limited availability across the world of over six billion population.

Taking this up as a challenge and leading with a vision to offer minimally invasive robotic surgery solutions, Dr. Sudhir P. Srivastava and his team launched SSI MANTRA (Multi-Arm Novel Tele Robotic Assistance) Surgical Robotic System, with a live demonstration, in New Delhi, today. The event marked the presence of national media at the launch alongside attendance from dignitaries like Amitabh Kant, CEO Niti Ayog via web-conferencing.

“Robotics shall be the future of surgery, and my vision is to create a technologically advanced system that will be cost-effective, easy to use, and can be applied to all surgical specialities. Thus, benefitting most patients around the world. Compared to conventional surgery, robotic surgery results in smaller incisions, that reduces pain, scarring and leads to quicker recovery.” said Dr. Srivastava, one of the early pioneers in minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery. He has performed over 1,400 robotic cardiac surgical procedures in the expanse of his career as a surgeon. It is his goal to build an affordable surgical robotic system that is easier for surgeons to use and provides easier accessibility for patients around the world.

The MANTRA system was recently utilised for the first in human pilot study at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, where the surgeons successfully completed 18 complex Urology, Gynaecology and General Surgery procedures in less than a month. Present at the launch event, Dr. Sudhir Rawal, Medical Director RGCI added, “The dedicated team of engineers and scientists at SS Innovations have been working hard under Dr. Srivastava’s guidance for the past few years to develop a cost-effective robotic surgical system. I congratulate them on this launch. I have been closely involved in the clinical trials myself, and the results have been outstanding.”

The SSI Mantra surgical robotic system can be utilised for all major surgical specialities including Urology, General Surgery, Gynaecology, Thoracic, Cardiac, and Head & Neck Surgery. 

The SSI Mantra System shall additionally have automated enabling technologies for coronary bypass and valve operations.