The first remote life saving heart operation using a robotic arm was carried out by cardiologists in Leicester. Dr André Ng, consultant cardiologist and senior lecturer in cardiovascular sciences at Leicester university used the remotely controlled robotic arm to carry out a heart rhythm treatment procedure using the Catheter Robotics Remote Catheter Manipulation System.

The operation went well and the entire procedure was completed within an hour.

The heart procedure involves passing a thin metal wire along the patient’s blood vessels into the heart, with a precise dot of heat applied to the malfunctioning section of heart muscle that misfires electrical signals and causes disruptions in the heartbeat, raising the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

In 2004, Tony Blair was treated for a similar problem, thought he procedure was carried out at Hammersmith Hospital by hand.

Normally, doctors stand over the patient wearing a lead apron to protect against the radiation from the X-rays that are taken constantly for guiding the wire into place.

However, the new robot allows the doctor to sit in an adjacent room, without wearing the lead apron, controlling the metal wire with the help of a joystick and monitors.

Much simpler than the robots used in the previous system, doctors can be trained to use the new system within 15 minutes, instead of several weeks.

Because, the system is remotely controlled, operations can be performed over the internet from anywhere in the world, so long as the connection is reliable, Dr. Ng told the Financial Times.

The system is expensive however, costing around £350,000.