Top surgical robotics companies have joined forces to release the first-ever technical guidelines for robotic telesurgery, marking a significant milestone toward standardized remote surgical procedures. Published in the World Journal of Surgery, the guidelines are the result of an unprecedented collaboration among industry pioneers.
Co-authors include executives and experts from major medtech firms: Brian Miller (Intuitive), Bill Peine (Medtronic), Shane Farritor (Virtual Incision), Martin Buehler (Johnson & Johnson MedTech), Mike Kijewski (Medcrypt), and Sovato leaders Yulun Wang, Blair Whitney, and Jordana Bernard. Sovato, which develops system-agnostic telesurgery software, coordinated efforts with additional contributors from CMR Surgical, Nanoflex Robotics, LN Robotics, and Microport.
“This collaborative publication outlines the essential requirements for safe, scalable remote surgery,” said Sovato’s executive chair Yulun Wang. “It’s a foundational step toward broader adoption and equitable access to high-quality surgical care globally.”
The guidelines build on more than two decades of development since the landmark “Lindbergh operation” in 2001, when French surgeons in New York remotely conducted a robotic cholecystectomy in Strasbourg. Since then, rapid advances in telemedicine, robotics, and high-speed networks have significantly improved reliability and reduced latency—key hurdles in remote procedures.
Intuitive’s Chief Digital Officer Brian Miller noted, “It’s inspiring to see this collective step forward nearly 25 years after the technology behind the Lindbergh operation. These guidelines are paving the way for the next generation of surgical care.”
Medtronic’s Bill Peine echoed the sentiment: “Telesurgery is poised to become a cornerstone of a connected surgical ecosystem—more precise, predictable, personalized, and globally accessible. This initiative proves the future of surgery is no longer science fiction.”
Recent progress underscores the momentum. Sovato’s platform enabled preclinical procedures—nephrectomy, hysterectomy, colectomy, and cholecystectomy—across 500 miles between Chicago and Lincoln, Nebraska, using a modified version of Virtual Incision’s MIRA system. In early 2025, SS Innovations reported performing the world’s first robotic cardiac telesurgeries in India using its Mantra system.
Remote robotic surgery has potential to address critical gaps in surgical care, especially in underserved or rural regions and overburdened hospital systems. Specialized surgeons could conduct procedures from afar, improving efficiency and patient outcomes.
The coalition intends to regularly update the technical guidelines and is developing complementary best practice frameworks addressing credentialing, liability, and safety. Clinical and operational considerations are also set for publication later this year.
“This collaboration reflects the shared commitment to building secure, interoperable frameworks for the future of surgery,” said Medcrypt CEO Mike Kijewski. “It’s about advancing innovation while keeping patient safety at the core.”