Remotely Controlled Surgery Successfully Performed from the Lenticule Congress 2.0 in Bangalore to the Ophthalmologic Clinic of the Bari Polyclinic

A revolutionary milestone was achieved today at the Lenticule Congress 2.0 when a corneal surgery, remotely controlled from the Taj Hotel Bangalore AirPort (India), was successfully executed on a patient hospitalized at the Bari Polyclinic (Italy). This groundbreaking procedure was made possible using the 4D Suite, produced by iVis Technologies, which manages the entire cycle of Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Follow-up of corneal pathologies and refractive disorders, exploiting a dedicated 5G network provided by TIM and Ericsson, marking a significant advancement of the technology in the medical field, radically changing the delivering of medical procedures and patient care, no matter where they live.

The Lenticule Congress 2.0, dedicated to advancing lenticule technology and addressing complex cases, provided the ideal opportunity to showcase the potential impact of this innovative surgical procedure.

The operated patient, diagnosed with early-stage keratoconus – an evolving condition causing visual impairment uncorrectable with glasses that, if left untreated, may lead to corneal transplantation – benefited from a customized surgical plan. Identified through the iVis Diagnostic Platform’s preventive screening, the plan was meticulously tailored using Ray-Tracing technology via the Cipta®Web application by iVis Technologies to improve vision, halt disease progression, and minimize surgical invasiveness.

 

The innovative procedure was made possible by the 4D Suite platform by iVis Technologies, which manages, remotely, the entire cycle of Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Follow-up of corneal pathologies.

From the Taj Hotel Bangalore AirPort, Prof. Dr. Rohit Shetty (Chairman of Narayana Nethralaya in Bangalore, India, and a faculty member at Maastricht University in the Netherlands) introduced the case, while Prof. Dr. Mohamed Shafik (Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Alexandria), performed the surgery remotely controlling the iRes®2 laser located at the Bari Polyclinic, by means of the iVis Remote Control Station, installed in the congress center. Precise control and visualization of the surgical field were achieved through the use of a dedicated 3D viewer incorporated in the Remote Control Station. The patient was physically supervised and assisted by Prof. Giovanni Alessio (Full Professor of Ophthalmology Clinic at the University of Bari and Director of the Ophthalmology Department of the Bari Polyclinic) equipe.

The real time remote control was made possible by TIM’s 5G technology, which, in collaboration with Ericsson, established the infrastructure at the Bari Polyclinic. This specific setup minimized transmission latency between the iVis Remote Control Station and the iRes®2 laser, ensuring seamless synchronization of remote commands and actions. The 5G connection was facilitated by an Ericsson 5G radio module for indoor coverage with a high capacity link connection, connected to TIMs Core network.

“Today’s procedure, enabled by iVis Technologies’ state-of-the-art technology, not only confirms that remote surgery is now a tangible reality but also demonstrates its potential to significantly reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for top-quality care. This milestone illustrates the transformative impact of such technology on healthcare accessibility and emphasizes the need for continued investment in its development. By doing so, we can ensure that these transformative innovations become a standard part of medical practice, benefiting patients globally.,” said Prof. Dr. Mohamed Shafik.

Prof. Dr. Gianni Alessio stated, “Today’s procedure highlights how automation can minimize human error and intraoperative mistakes, significantly enhancing patient outcomes. I am optimistic that by embracing technologies like the 4D Suite we will pave the way for safer and more effective treatments worldwide, bringing high-quality care closer to those who need it most.”

Eng. Giuseppe D’Ippolito, CEO of iVis Technologies, added, “Since 1992, the iVis group has been a leader in innovation for corneal surgery, committed to improving patient quality of life. Our latest initiative, the Horus project, embodies this mission by enabling remote management of the full cycle of Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Follow-Up for corneal diseases and refractive errors. This project ensures consistent, highquality care across all locations, effectively reducing the need for patients to travel for specialized treatment.
By integrating cutting-edge technologies to automate and standardize diagnostic and surgical procedures, allowing remote control, we aim to not only enhance healthcare access and efficiency but also contribute to a more equitable distribution of medical resources, revolutionizing the way care is delivered worldwide.”

Prof. Dr. Rohit Shetty, President of the Lenticule Congress 2.0, concluded: “The Lenticule Congress 2.0 continues to champion innovation in ophthalmology. We are witnessing the groundbreaking achievement of a remotely performed surgery. This milestone not only underscores this congress commitment to advancing surgical techniques but also highlights the transformative potential of technology in expanding the horizons of patient care.”