Summary of ERCP Surgical Robot Conference Call Industry Overview - The ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) surgical procedure volume in China is rapidly increasing, projected to reach nearly 400,000 cases in 2024, which is only 10% of the actual demand of approximately 4 million cases. By 2030, the volume is expected to rise to 800,000 to 1 million cases, indicating significant market potential [3][1]. - There is a notable shortage of qualified ERCP doctors, with only about 3,700 to 6,000 capable of performing the procedure, which is insufficient to meet the demand [9][8]. Key Points and Arguments - **ERCP Robot's Purpose**: The ERCP robot aims to address traditional surgical pain points, such as reducing radiation exposure for medical staff, standardizing operations, and shortening the learning curve for doctors from over 200 cases to potentially 100 or even fewer [1][9]. - **Remote Operation Capability**: The robot's remote control feature is expected to significantly enhance its adoption in grassroots hospitals. Future integration with 5G/6G technology could enable remote surgeries, providing technical support to remote areas [1][13]. - **Open-source Consumables**: The robot's consumables are designed to be open-source, allowing the use of any company's standard consumables, which helps reduce the financial burden on patients [15][1]. - **Hospital Acceptance**: Acceptance of the ERCP robot by hospitals depends on actual product demand. As a necessary technology, it has a high priority for procurement, especially if it can significantly improve efficiency and outcomes [17][1]. Clinical Challenges and Technical Difficulties - **Technical Challenges**: ERCP remains one of the most challenging therapeutic endoscopic techniques, with a long learning curve. The main difficulties include insufficient preoperative assessments, complex intubation processes, and radiation exposure risks [2][5]. - **Feedback Technology**: The first-generation ERCP robot's force feedback technology is not yet ideal, but doctors can adapt through learning. Safety mechanisms are in place to prevent excessive force [22][2]. - **Comparative Performance**: Initial robot-assisted surgeries do not significantly reduce operation time compared to traditional methods, but they lower the required skill level and number of assistants, thus reducing overall human resource investment [7][1]. Market Competition and Future Prospects - **Limited Competition**: Currently, only a few companies have launched finished ERCP surgical robots, with others still in the development phase. Companies like Aohua have patented technologies that are difficult for competitors to replicate in the short term [20][14]. - **Domestic vs. Imported Equipment**: The gap between domestic and imported ERCP equipment is narrowing, with domestic models like Aohua A7,400 showing improvements in imaging quality and operability [30][1]. - **Commercial Potential**: The commercial prospects for ERCP surgical robots are substantial. If policy restrictions on pricing are lifted, large hospitals may require 20 to 30 units or more, indicating a strong demand for this technology [32][1]. Additional Insights - **Patient Recovery and Complications**: There is no significant difference in complication rates between robot-assisted and traditional ERCP procedures, suggesting similar safety profiles [12][1]. - **Global Market Outlook**: The demand for surgical robots is high globally, with interest from doctors in regions like Europe, Africa, Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong, indicating a positive outlook for international market penetration [25][26]. - **Future Developments**: The integration of AI technology in surgical robots is anticipated, enhancing functionalities such as automated processes and improved interaction between humans and machines [23][1].