The Founder, Chairman, and CEO of SS Innovations International Inc., Sudhir Srivastava is at the forefront of transforming the landscape of robotic surgery. He is a highly skilled and experienced robotic surgeon with a background deeply rooted in surgery, particularly in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. He holds American Board Certification in Thoracic Surgery from The University of British Columbia.
In his role as Chief Executive Officer, Sudhir leads the SS Innovations team in pioneering the development of a new generation Robotic Surgery System, alongside various surgical equipment and devices. His goal is to introduce products with breakthrough technology and significantly enhanced clinical efficacy, ultimately revolutionizing robotic surgery and expanding its accessibility to a broader global patient population. Sudhir Srivastava is recognized as a strong clinician and entrepreneur, dedicated to advancing healthcare through innovation and cutting-edge surgical solutions.
Expanding Reach with Affordable Robotic Systems
Sudhir’s journey begun with his medical education in India and postgraduate training in the United States. Specializing in cardiothoracic surgery, he became highly interested in minimally invasive and robotic surgery, contributing significantly to the field. After building a hospital in Odessa, Texas, and serving as a faculty member at the University of Chicago, he moved to India in 2011 to introduce robotic surgery to the country.
Encountering challenges due to the high cost and steep learning curve associated with robotic surgery, Sudhir decided to develop a new surgical robotic system. He invested his life savings, borrowed money, and sold assets to fund the project. Despite difficulties in raising funds in India, he persisted and successfully developed the SSI Mantra 2.0, a technologically superior and cost-effective robotic surgical system.
The product, developed by an Indian team, has received approvals, and clinical trials have established its safety, feasibility, and efficacy. Sudhir highlights the system’s capabilities across various specialties, emphasizing its unique position as the only globally available system with full-spectrum cardiac surgery abilities for robotic applications. With installations in India, UAE, and Johns Hopkins, Sudhir envisions further expansion and impact in the global market.
The Organization
SS Innovations, an operational company based in India and a subsidiary of Access Innovations International in Florida, focuses on the development, manufacturing, assembly, and marketing of the SSI surgical robotics system named Mantra. The company is registered with the United States SEC and is dedicated to advancing the field of medical robotics using cutting-edge technology and collaboration with leading surgeons.
Key Features of SSI Surgical Robotics System (Mantra):
- Latest Technology: Utilizing advanced technology to stay at the forefront of surgical robotics.
- More Capabilities including Cardiac Surgery: Special emphasis on enhancing capabilities across specialties including in the field of cardiac surgery.
- Modular Design: A modular approach that allows flexibility in the number of robotic arms used during procedures.
- Superior Ergonomics: Prioritizing comfort and efficiency for surgeons with an open-faced console and ergonomic design.
- Cost-Effective: Addressing affordability in terms of capital investment, procedure costs, and annual maintenance, making it accessible to a broader population.
- Multi-specialty Applications: Designed for a wide range of surgical applications, including cardiac surgery, urology, gynecology, general surgery, thoracic surgery, and head & neck surgery.
The uniqueness of SS Innovations lies in being the only surgical robotic system globally that is both cost-effective and applicable across various surgical specialties, including cardiac surgery. The company believes that this innovation has the potential to revolutionize surgery by providing less invasive options to underserved populations.
By constantly refining and improving technology and practices, SS Innovations aims to contribute to building a brighter future in the field of surgical robotics. The company remains committed to innovation as a key driver of progress in healthcare.
Democratizing Robotic Surgery for Global Impact
Sudhir highlights the humanitarian aspect of SSI Mantra’s vision, aiming to address the global imbalance in access to robotic surgery caused by high costs and steep learning curves associated with existing systems. The goal is to make this advanced surgical technology more accessible and cost-effective, particularly for underserved regions.
The SSI Mantra system incorporates various technological advancements, including a modular design allowing the use of up to five arms, 3D vision for the entire surgical team, and a Surgeon Command Center with ergonomic features. The focus is not only on providing state-of-the-art robotic surgery capabilities but also on advancing the entire field through innovations such as virtual reality platforms, teleproctoring, and telesurgery.
Sudhir envisions expanding SSI Mantra’s reach globally, with initial launches in India and the Asia Pacific region. The company is working towards obtaining approvals from European and US regulatory bodies, alongside raising funds to scale up operations, enhance manufacturing capabilities, and establish global infrastructure for support and training.
The vision extends beyond robotic surgery, with initiatives like Maya, a virtual reality platform, and alarm applications to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention. The emphasis on education involves introducing robotic surgery training in medical colleges, producing a large volume of trained professionals.
Sudhir sees SSI Mantra not only revolutionizing the field of robotic surgery but also positively impacting healthcare systems, reducing complications, readmissions, and overall costs. The company’s ability to rapidly incorporate changes and produce a high-quality, cost-effective system positions it uniquely in the market.
A Global Model for Medical Innovation
Sudhir shares the significance of additional investment in scaling up production and leveraging technology to advance the accessibility of healthcare services. The unique training model, which goes beyond teleproctoring and telesurgery, aims for a holistic life cycle approach in developing skilled professionals. The goal is not only to make the system affordable but also to address the shortage of robotics systems in countries like India, where the demand is substantial compared to the current availability.
With a population of over 1.3 billion and a vast number of hospitals, Sudhir sees India as an opportunity to become a model for other countries by producing sophisticated medical technology domestically. This could potentially reduce dependence on foreign exchange for medical devices and inspire similar innovations globally.
Sudhir encourages more doctors to actively participate in innovation, emphasizing that end-users, who understand the healthcare needs best, should play a crucial role in shaping the future of medical technology. SSI Mantra’s global network of high-level professionals on the Advisory Board shares a common vision of providing quality healthcare as a right, not a privilege, to people worldwide. The ultimate standard at SSI is to create technology that meets the criteria of being used on one’s own family, reflecting a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of care.
Collaborative Solutions in Healthcare Engineering
Sudhir considers the importance of collaboration between bright minds in healthcare and engineering. He points out that many universities lack resources and primarily focus on theoretical teaching, which limits innovation. Sudhir suggests that increased financial resources and partnerships between private healthcare and engineering institutions can significantly contribute to fostering innovation. He envisions a collaborative effort between doctors and engineers, especially in India, where engineering colleges and institutes of technology produce talented engineers. This partnership is seen as a key driver for technological evolution and the generation of innovative solutions. Through such collaborations, Sudhir aims to advance technologies and nurture leaders in the healthcare and engineering domains.
Innovation in Challenging Cardiac Surgery
Sudhir holds the unique distinction of being the only person worldwide to successfully perform a quadruple vessel bypass surgery using robotic assistance. He recounts a particular case where the patient had undergone chest radiation due to Hodgkin’s disease, making traditional open surgery risky. Other cardiac surgeons were hesitant due to concerns about potential healing and infection issues related to cutting the sternum. The patient, who also faced challenges with missing hands due to a congenital anomaly, was not an ideal candidate for open surgery.
However, Sudhir and his team utilized robotic assistance to perform the complex procedure, completing four bypasses. The surgery was a significant challenge, especially given the patient’s medical history and unique circumstances. Subsequently, a few other surgeons have attempted similar cases, marking a pioneering development in the field of quadruple vessel bypass surgeries with robotic assistance. Sudhir accomplished the first of these procedures in 2008.
Surgical Pioneering
In the late 90s, Sudhir became deeply interested in minimally invasive surgical techniques as a way to improve patient recovery. Traditional open surgeries involving sternum splitting led to complications, extended recovery periods, and blood loss. Sudhir developed techniques to perform operations through small incisions between the ribs, avoiding sternum cutting.
The approval of the robotic system by the FDA in 2000 marked a significant advancement. Sudhir actively participated in the FDA trials for bypass surgery and irregular heart rhythm, both of which received approval. He also conducted the first-ever robotic bypass on a beating heart, pushing the boundaries of surgical innovation. The goal was to provide patients not only with effective treatment but also a quicker return to their normal lives.
Sudhir’s inspiration stemmed from seeing the positive outcomes and improved recovery of patients undergoing minimally invasive procedures. He emphasized the importance of advancing science while considering patient factors, ensuring both effective treatment and a swift return to normalcy.
A noteworthy example was Sudhir’s first beating heart, totally endoscopic bypass surgery. The patient, initially hesitant, agreed to be the first in the United States for this procedure. Astonishingly, he went home within 23 hours of surgery and drove 800 miles a week later. Sudhir continued to pioneer these techniques, conducting the largest number of such surgeries in the US and training surgical teams worldwide. His commitment extended to charity work, operating in India and around the world, providing assistance to those in need. Sudhir emphasized the moral responsibility of professionals to give back to society, using their expertise to evolve methodologies and make surgery less invasive for global patients. The ultimate goal was to change the trajectory of surgery for the benefit of countless individuals.
Leading the Surgical Revolution
As the founder and CEO, Sudhir takes on the role of the “Chief Everything Officer,” involved in every aspect of the company’s operations. Working tirelessly with the dedicated and determined team, Sudhir combines his clinical experience with engineering expertise to drive the rapid development of their surgical robotic system.
The happiest moments for Sudhir include collaborating with the team, witnessing their shared vision come to life. Despite challenges and long hours, the team remains committed to creating something groundbreaking in India. Seeing successful operations with their system, which involves intricate coordination of nearly 3000 different hardware and electronic components, brings immense gratification.
Sudhir finds joy in exploring and implementing new ideas, turning them into functional products. The ultimate satisfaction comes from observing patients walking around, returning home within a day or two with minimal complications, showcasing the positive impact of their innovative technology.
