PROMPT

PROMPT (Proficient Robotic Operation for Minimally-invasive Procedural Treatment) will deliver the world’s first robotic catheter drive system designed specifically for emergency, catheter-based interventions, starting with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, yet fewer than 20% of eligible patients currently receive MT because too few centers and experts can perform the procedure. Patients are often transported long distances to reach capable hospitals, while every minute of delay costs millions of neurons, making speed and precision critical. Building on the EU-funded ARTERY project' robotic drive and patent-pending gripping technologies, PROMPT introduces a modular, instrument-agnostic system for rapid deployment and exchange. Its “drop-in” design will allow pre-flushed devices to be installed in under 1.5 minutes, avoiding workflow delays. The system provides stable, coordinated control of up to four instruments at once, with distributed grip for safer navigation, haptic feedback for force awareness, and remote operation (future vision). Together, these features improve first-pass success, reduce time to treatment, and ease reliance on scarce neuro-radiologists while also protecting staff from radiation. Pre-clinical testing will progress from silicon phantoms to cadaver vasculature and in-vivo animal models, followed by first-in-human trials. By project completion, PROMPT aims to reach TRL 7 and prepare for CE/FDA clearance. Commercialization will be led by a dedicated spin-off, offering both sales and leasing options, with recurring revenue from disposable grippers. Early adoption will be driven by key opinion leaders and leading stroke centers in the EU, before scaling globally to meet the growing demand for MT. PROMPT addresses the urgent clinical need for rapid, reliable, and accessible MT, transforming stroke care and establishing a platform for future emergency robotic interventions.