XCath Iris Surgical Robotic System Used in First Telerobotic Stroke Procedure

March 25, 2026—XCath, a developer of neuroendovascular surgical robotics, announced the completion of the first telerobotic stroke procedure with the XCath Iris surgical robotic system in a clinical investigation termed Operation Robo Angel. The Iris device is currently under development and is not yet cleared for commercial distribution in any country, advised the company.

According to the company, the remote robotic mechanical thrombectomy procedure was performed by neurosurgeon Vitor Mendes Pereira, MD, at Clinica Norte in Santiago, Panama. The patient was more than 120 miles away at The Panama Clinic in Panama City, Panama. Local neurosurgeon Anastasio Ameijeiras Sibauste, MD, and robotic technologist Nicole Cancelliere were with the patient.

The Iris system demonstrated precision in navigating and delivering therapeutic devices over a long-distance connection, with no perceptible latency during the successful mechanical thrombectomy procedure, reported the company.

As summarized in the press release, the male patient (age, late 60s) presented with acute stroke symptoms at the referring hospital, where diagnostic imaging confirmed a large vessel occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery (M1 segment). The patient was rapidly transferred to the primary treatment center, where he was assessed with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 21.

Dr. Pereira, the remote operator, used the Iris system to robotically navigate therapeutic devices through the intracranial vasculature to the site of occlusion. Mechanical thrombectomy was performed using a stent retriever and balloon occlusion with dual aspiration.

XCath reported that the clot was removed on the first pass. Complete reperfusion of the affected vessel was achieved with a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 3 at the conclusion of the procedure.

After the surgical procedure, the patient showed improvement in both general condition and neurological functions. At 24 hours, the patient continued to progress and had an NIHSS of 2. The patient is expected to make a complete recovery, noted the company.

XCath also announced that it has secured $30 million in Series C funding, which will support the company’s ongoing efforts to bring the Iris device to the market. The round was led by Crescent Enterprises and Fred Moll, MD, Chairman of the XCath Board of Directors. The total funds raised by the company since its inception is $92 million, noted the press release.