Akron General ushers in era of caring for hearts with remote robotic technology

AKRON, OHIO — Akron General Medical Center will show off new robotic technology used to treat patients’ hearts during an open house on Thursday.

The Akron health system recently opened a Stereotaxis Electrophysiology Lab at its heart and vascular center. It’s one of only four such labs state-wide, the hospital said in a written statement.

With the Stereotaxis Niobi magnetic navigation system, electrophysiologists at Akron General can use a pair of magnets mounted on pivoting arms to manipulate tiny instruments through catheter tubes and into patients’ hearts.

The doctors and their teams work on patients from outside the procedure room, using computer screens and digital automation. This remote work minimizes X-ray exposure for both patient and medical staff, the hospital said.

“This Stereotaxis system is truly state-of-the-art,” said Dr. Robert Schweikert, the hospital’s chief of cardiology, in the statement. “We believe that this system will go a long way to providing safer, more efficient and more successful treatment for our heart patients. It’s truly a medical breakthrough.”