A New Era in Minimally Invasive Urology
On May 20, 2026, ELMED Medical Systems reached a defining milestone in the history of surgery. Using the Avicenna Roboflex system, Prof. Dr. Tzevat Tefik of Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine successfully performed a complete tele-robotic kidney stone removal via RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery) — controlling the robot in real time from Istanbul while the patient was 1,500 km away at Muş State Hospital. This is the world's first documented tele-robotic flexible ureteroscopy.
The procedure — enabled by Turkcell 5G infrastructure and ultra-low latency connectivity — demonstrated that geographic distance is no longer a barrier to precision surgical care. Crucially, this was not a controlled demonstration: it was a real clinical procedure on a real patient, lasting approximately four hours, proving the Avicenna Roboflex is ready for clinical adoption in telemedicine programmes worldwide.
Remote Precision
The surgeon controlled the robotic scope from a geographically separate location with sub-second response time.
Live Case Performed
A complete kidney stone treatment procedure was carried out tele-robotically from start to finish.
Nationally Recognised
Covered by Anadolu Agency, Turkcell, Istanbul University, and dozens of national outlets within hours of the procedure.
How the Breakthrough Was Made
The tele-surgery was performed with the Avicenna Roboflex robot stationed beside the patient at Muş State Hospital, while Prof. Dr. Tzevat Tefik operated remotely from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, 1,500 km away. Commands were transmitted over Turkcell's 5G network, with the system's real-time video feedback and motion-compensation algorithms ensuring precision throughout the four-hour procedure. On-site support was provided by Op. Dr. Rıfat Burak Ergül at Muş State Hospital.
ELMED's engineering team developed and validated the tele-operation protocols over an extended period of R&D, in close collaboration with leading urologists. The successful live case confirms that the platform is ready for clinical adoption in telemedicine programmes worldwide.
"We monitored our patient from Istanbul as if we were in the same operating room. This is not merely a technology demonstration — it is a clinically applicable model."
Moments from the Achievement
Powered by Avicenna Roboflex
The Avicenna Roboflex is ELMED's flagship robotic platform for flexible ureteroscopy. Designed to protect the endoscope, deliver precision stone management, and maximise surgeon ergonomics, it is now proven capable of full tele-robotic operation — opening the door to remote surgical care on a global scale.