Project description
Robotics racing against time in stroke care
A stroke results in the loss of millions of neurons every minute, yet access to life-saving mechanical thrombectomy remains limited. The EIC-funded PROMPT project aims to change this by developing the world’s first robotic catheter drive system tailored for emergency interventions. Specifically, a modular platform will be designed to control multiple instruments with precision, haptic feedback and enhanced safety. By simplifying workflows and enabling faster, more consistent procedures, PROMPT seeks to expand treatment access beyond specialised centres. With plans for clinical validation and market readiness, the project could redefine how acute ischemic stroke is treated, and pave the way for broader robotic use in emergency medicine.
Objective
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.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2025-TRANSITIONOPEN
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
3000 Leuven
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.