First Enrollment in Multicenter Clinical Trial of Domestic Dual-Arm Endoscopic Robot; Hospital Leads Full Chain from Prototype to Procedure

Background

Beijing Friendship Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, maintains a strong focus on minimally invasive treatments for digestive diseases through its Digestive Center. The center has accumulated substantial experience in advanced endoscopic procedures such as endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). This clinical expertise has been channeled back into medical device development, supporting the creation of domestic endoscopic robotic systems. The dual-arm endoscopic robot system was developed independently by a domestic team, with deep involvement from the hospital's National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases under Professors Zhang Shutian and Li Peng, who contributed to clinical needs definition, procedure design, operational logic, and safety frameworks.

What was achieved

The Digestive Center successfully completed the first patient enrollment at the hospital in a multicenter prospective clinical study evaluating the dual-arm endoscopic robot for the treatment of gastrointestinal lesions. According to the hospital announcement dated October 16, 2026, this event marks the transition of the domestic technology from the engineering research and development phase to multicenter clinical validation. The hospital serves as a co-lead institution for the trial, taking responsibility for protocol design validation, formulation of operational standards, and handling of initial case enrollments across participating centers.

The enrolled patient was admitted for a rectal laterally spreading tumor. During the procedure, Digestive Center Deputy Chief Physician Wang Junxiong operated the system from the master-slave remote control console. He precisely manipulated the two flexible robotic arms to achieve tissue grasping, sustained counter-traction, and submucosal dissection. The operation was characterized by clear visualization, stable tension, and smooth dissection progress throughout.

How it works

Gastrointestinal lesion treatment via endoscopy typically accesses the digestive tract through natural orifices without external incisions. An endoscope is advanced to the site of the lesion, such as a tumor on the rectal wall. The objective in procedures like ESD is to carefully separate and remove the diseased tissue layer while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy structures. Conventional single-channel endoscopy often struggles with simultaneous tissue manipulation and cutting because instruments compete for space and control within one narrow channel, potentially leading to poor exposure or imprecise movements.

The dual-arm endoscopic robot introduces two independent, highly flexible mechanical arms integrated with the endoscopic platform. From a dedicated control console, the physician uses hand controls that translate movements to the robot arms in a master-slave configuration. This enables coordinated 'bimanual' operation inside the body: one arm can securely grasp and retract the tissue to maintain optimal tension and exposure, while the second arm executes the precise dissection in the submucosal plane. In the reported case, this setup allowed for effective performance of the complex steps required for lesion removal in a confined luminal environment.

What it means for international patients

Beijing Friendship Hospital has established an International Medical Center that caters to international patients with dedicated services including multilingual staff proficient in English and other languages, 24-hour English telephone consultation, bilingual signage and documentation where available, and efficient one-stop care pathways across its campuses. The hospital has a history of providing medical services to foreign guests. This clinical trial of an innovative domestic dual-arm endoscopic robot for gastrointestinal treatment reflects ongoing advancements in precision minimally invasive options available in China.

Patients from abroad considering care at the hospital for digestive conditions or interest in robotic-assisted endoscopic procedures should verify eligibility, trial status, and specific requirements directly with the International Medical Center. Participation in clinical studies is governed by strict inclusion criteria, ethical protocols, and individual medical assessment, and availability must be confirmed with the hospital.

About the hospital

Beijing Friendship Hospital is a tertiary Grade A comprehensive hospital located in Beijing and affiliated with Capital Medical University. Founded in 1952 with assistance from the former Soviet government and Red Cross, it has developed into an institution integrating clinical care, medical education, scientific research, prevention, health maintenance, and rehabilitation. It hosts the National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases. The hospital operates campuses including Xicheng, Tongzhou, and Shunyi.

Recognized strengths include the diagnosis and treatment of digestive system diseases, urinary system diseases, liver and kidney transplantation, tropical medicine, parasitic diseases, and integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. It is among the earliest institutions in China to undertake medical services for foreign guests and senior officials. It achieved an A+ rating in national performance appraisals of tertiary public hospitals and maintains an International Medical Center.