Robotic heart surgery represents a key step forward for SS Innovations

Michael Walter | June 18, 2025 | Cardiovascular Business | Cardiac Surgery

SS Innovations International SSi Mantra 3 robotic surgery system

SS Innovations International, a U.S. medtech company with headquarters in India, announced that its SSi Mantra 3 robotic surgery system was used to perform a cardiac surgery in the Western Hemisphere for the very first time. Dr. Juan Zuniga, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Interhospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador, performed the procedure—a robotic atrial septal defect closure—on June 8.

“On the heels of SSi Mantra’s debut in Latin American robotic surgeries, we decided to leverage this advanced system in complex specialties, particularly in cardiovascular surgeries,” Zuniga said in a statement. “The experience was good, this equipment was very easy to handle and manipulate and the results were effective as we did a transesophageal echocardiogram to verify the complete closure of the communication between the two upper chambers of the heart. We were very happy with the results in achieving a successful closure and the patient is recovering very well.”

Interhospital was the first South American hospital to install the SSi Mantra 3. Zuniga and other surgeons at the facility have now used it to perform a variety of procedures. In the same statement, Zuniga highlighted some of the benefits he associated with this robotic-assisted technology.

“Because it is a minimally invasive procedure, the recovery is much faster, bleeding much less, and since it is done robotically, the manipulation of the tissues is much more precise, and so is the suturing,” he said. “It gives the surgeon the confidence that every stitch that is made with the platform is placed precisely and without complication.”

SS Innovations has gained significant momentum in recent months. The company’s stock was uplisted to Nasdaq back in April, for example, and its technology has gained key regulatory approvals in India, Nepal, Ecuador, Guatemala, Philippines, Indonesia and Ukraine.

The SSi Mantra 3 system has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at this time. However, the company hopes to secure both FDA and CE mark approvals in late 2025 or early 2026.

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Michael Walter, Managing Editor

Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.

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