Corindus Vascular Robotics (OTC:CVRS) said today it is working with the Mayo Clinic to launch preclinical studies exploring the use of telestenting, a robotic treatment for percutaneous coronary interventions which can be operated by physicians in remote locations.

The Waltham, Mass.-based surgical robotics company said that there is a global shortage of PCI-capable operators, and that telestenting could serve as a solution to geographic and workforce barriers that prohibit the use of PCI therapy in rural and underserved populations globally.

The multi-phase, multi-year development program and associated studies will be supported by a $3.3 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Corindus said. Studies will aim to explore whether robotic-assisted PCI can be performed safely and effectively through an off-site remote-controlled system, and will use the CorPath GRX system which is currently cleared for robotic-assisted PCI.

Mayo Clinic cardiovascular medicine department interventional cardiologist and associate professor of medicine Dr. Mackram Eleid will serve as the primary investigator in the multi-phase study.

“We are delighted to work on critical research for remote robotics with Mayo Clinic. While PCI is the initial focus for this development program, our long-term goal is to extend this capability to the remote treatment of endovascular disease and stroke. Corindus is committed to developing a high tech cardiovascular model that improves efficiency, integrates the latest technology, and ultimately improves patient care. Telestenting is at the core of this strategy,” prez & CEO Mark Toland said in a press release.

Last month, Corindus touted the first commercial installation of its CorPath GRx robotic surgical system outside of the US.