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Medical professionals from Scotland and America have successfully completed what is considered a world-first stroke surgery using robotic technology.

The medical expert, from a research center, conducted the remote thrombectomy - the removal of vascular blockages post a brain attack - on a medical specimen that had been provided for research.

The professor was positioned in a treatment center in Dundee, while the specimen being treated with the system was separately situated at the university.

Subsequently, a neurosurgeon from the American state used the system to perform the pioneering long-distance operation from his American facility on a human body in the Scottish city over 6,400km away.

The medical group has called it a potential "revolutionary development" if it becomes approved for medical treatment.

The medics consider this innovation could transform stroke treatment, as a slow access to specialist treatment can have a direct impact on the healing potential.

"The experience was we were seeing the first glimpse of the next generation," stated the lead researcher.

"While in the past this was thought to be theoretical concept, we showed that every step of the operation can already be done."

The University of Dundee is the global training center of the global medical association, and is the exclusive site in the UK where doctors can work with medical specimens with human blood pumped through the vessels to simulate procedures on a living person.

"This was the first time that we could conduct the complete clot removal operation in a genuine medical subject to show that every phase of the surgery are possible," stated Prof Grunwald.

Juliet Bouverie, the chief executive of a health foundation, called the intercontinental surgery as "an extraordinary advancement".

"During many years, people living in remote and rural areas have been deprived of access to thrombectomy," she added.

"Robotics like this could rebalance the inequity which persists in brain care nationwide."

How does the system function?

An blockage stroke happens when an artery is blocked by a obstruction.

This cuts off vascular flow to the cerebral tissue, and neurons lose function and die.

The optimal therapy is a clot removal, where a surgeon uses catheters and wires to clear the obstruction.

But what occurs when a patient cannot access a professional who can do the procedure?

Prof Grunwald stated the study showed a mechanical device could be connected to the same catheters and wires a surgeon would conventionally utilize, and a medic who is with the patient could easily connect the wires.

The surgeon, in another location, could then manipulate and control their personal instruments, and the automated system then executes comparable motions in immediate sequence on the individual to perform the thrombectomy.

The individual would be in a medical facility, while the surgeon could carry out the operation via the automated equipment from any place - even their personal residence.

The lead researcher and Ricardo Hanel could observe real-time imaging of the body in the trials, and track developments in live conditions, with the Scottish specialist stating it took only 20 minutes of training.

Tech giants Nvidia and Ericsson were involved in the research to guarantee the communication link of the robot.

"To conduct procedures from the United States to Scotland with a brief latency - a blink of an eye - is truly remarkable," said the medical expert.

The future of stroke treatment

The medical expert, who has won an award for her work and is also the vice president of the World Federation for Interventional Stroke Treatment, said there were primary challenges with a conventional clot removal - a global shortage of specialists who can do it, and intervention relies upon your location.

In the region, there are only three places patients can obtain the treatment - urban centers. If you aren't located nearby, you must travel.

"The procedure is extremely time-critical," explained Prof Grunwald.

"Each six-minute postponement, you have a 1% less chance of having a good outcome.

"This technology would now deliver a innovative method where you're not reliant upon where you dwell - preserving the precious time where your cerebral matter is degenerating."

Healthcare information showed there were {9,625 ischaemic strokes|numerous cerebral events|