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Doctors from Scotland and America have accomplished what is considered a pioneering brain operation using automated systems.

The lead surgeon, associated with a research center, conducted the remote thrombectomy - the extraction of blood clots post a brain attack - on a donated body that had been provided for research.

The surgeon was located at a treatment center in Dundee, while the specimen being treated with the system was across the city at the research facility.

Subsequently, a neurosurgeon from Florida utilized the equipment to conduct the initial intercontinental procedure from his Florida location on a human body in Dundee over 6,400km away.

The research collective has described it as a potential "revolutionary development" if it gains clearance for use on patients.

The doctors believe this innovation could change stroke care, as a limited availability of professional intervention can have a direct impact on the healing potential.

"The experience was we were observing the early preview of the future," commented the lead researcher.

"Whereas before this was regarded as theoretical concept, we showed that all stages of the procedure can currently be accomplished."

The University of Dundee is the international education hub of the World Federation for Interventional Stroke Treatment, and is the sole location in the UK where medical professionals can operate on donated bodies with biological fluid flowing through the vessels to replicate operations on a live human.

"This represented the pioneering moment that we could perform the entire surgical process in a real human body to demonstrate that each stage of the surgery are achievable," explained the lead expert.

Juliet Bouverie, the director of a health foundation, labeled the long-distance operation as "a significant breakthrough".

"For too long, individuals from remote and rural areas have been denied availability to thrombectomy," she continued.

"Robotics like this could address the disparity which exists in medical intervention throughout Britain."

What is the operational process?

An brain attack occurs when an vascular pathway is clogged by a obstruction.

This cuts off blood and oxygen supply to the brain, and brain cells lose function and deteriorate.

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

But what happens when a patient can't get to a professional who can perform the surgery?

The medical expert said the experiment demonstrated a robot could be attached to the same catheters and wires a surgeon would normally use, and a medic who is with the patient could easily connect the wires.

The surgeon, in a different place, could then hold and move their personal instruments, and the mechanical device then performs comparable motions in immediate sequence on the individual to conduct the thrombectomy.

The subject would be in a treatment center, while the doctor could carry out the surgery via the advanced machine from any location - even their private dwelling.

The lead researcher and Ricardo Hanel could see live X-rays of the specimen in the studies, and track developments in live conditions, with the Scottish specialist saying it took only 20 minutes of preparation.

Technology companies Nvidia and Ericsson were participated in the project to ensure the network connection of the automated system.

"To conduct procedures from the US to Britain with a minimal delay - a moment - is truly remarkable," commented the neurosurgeon.

The future of stroke treatment

The lead researcher, who has received recognition for her research and is also the senior official of the World Federation for Interventional Stroke Treatment, said there were primary challenges with a traditional procedure - a global shortage of doctors who can perform it, and care is determined by your geographical position.

In Scotland, there are just three locations patients can access the surgery - Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh. If you don't live there, you must commute.

"The treatment is highly dependent on timing," explained the lead researcher.

"Each six-minute postponement, you have a one percent reduced probability of having a successful recovery.

"This system would now offer a new way where you're independent of where you live - preserving the precious time where your cerebral matter is otherwise dying."

Medical statistics indicated there were {9,625 ischaemic strokes|numerous cerebral events|