Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi first to perform a robotic-assisted, transcontinental ultrasound focal therapy procedure for prostate cancer

It's not every day that a medical first rewrites what's possible in both robotics and global healthcare, but that's exactly what happened at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. In a jaw-dropping feat of innovation, a team of surgeons on two different continents teamed up — live — to treat prostate cancer using a robotic-assisted ultrasound therapy.

"This is proof of principle that we can contour the prostate, design the plan, and execute it remotely," said Dr. Waleed Hassen, the on-site urologist who helped steer the operation. Welcome to the future of medicine, where borders blur and care comes through the wire.

How did it work?

Think of it like a surgical duet across an ocean. The procedure used the Focal One system, a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device mounted on a robotically guided arm. It allows doctors to zap only the cancerous parts of the prostate with pinpoint precision — no scalpels, no radiation, and no hospital stays.

• The plan is drawn up by doctors using advanced imaging to map the tumor.
• A robotic arm, controlled remotely, delivers ultrasound beams to destroy the targeted cells.
• Both teams — Ohio and Abu Dhabi — see the same screen in real time, working in lockstep.

"It's a non-invasive procedure where we use a robotically controlled arm to deliver treatment. Once the treatment plan is in place, the machine delivers it precisely," Dr. Hassen explained.

The operation lasted about an hour. No complications. No need for open surgery. Just a clean, quiet hum of collaboration.

Why does it matter?

For starters, this isn't just some flashy tech demo. This is real care for real patients — made available regardless of geography. As Dr. Ruben Olivares from Cleveland put it, "We are thrilled... but unfortunately, [this technology] isn't available in many places throughout the US and in the world." That's the rub. Healthcare is patchy. Expertise isn't everywhere. But this procedure hints at a world where it can be.

• Remote surgeries could fill the gaps where specialists are scarce.
• It gives new hope to patients in underserved or rural areas.
• It cuts down recovery time, cost, and risk.

And then there's the training potential. Imagine young surgeons in Nairobi or Nepal learning directly from experts in Paris or New York — live, not on a recording.

The context

This milestone didn't come out of the blue. Back in October 2023, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi began using Focal One for treating non-metastatic prostate tumors. That paved the way for this moment. Now, with a decade of care under its belt, the hospital is leaning hard into tech-powered transformation.

Abu Dhabi itself is investing big in this future. "Our progress is powered by advanced infrastructure and innovation-driven regulatory frameworks," said Her Excellency Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi. It's part of a wider ambition to build one of the smartest healthcare systems in the world.

Dr. Georges-Pascal Haber, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, summed it up best: "Remote procedures represent the future of healthcare, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in medicine."

And if this is just the beginning, the possibilities are nothing short of staggering.