Hebrew University researchers developed a tiny robot that can guide neurosurgical procedures with great accuracy. Developed by Professor Leo Joskowicz, founder of Hebrew University's Computer-Aided Surgery and Medical Image Processing Laboratory, the use of the surgical robot allows for increased precision and reduced errors in brain surgery.
Prof. Joskowicz and his associates have developed a novel, image-guided system for precise, automatic targeting of structures inside the brain. The system is based on a miniature robot that can be programmed with detailed information obtained from preoperative electronic scans of the patient.
During surgery, the robot is directly affixed to a head clamp or to the patient's skull. It automatically positions itself with great accuracy in respect to the surgical targets. Once positioned, the robot locks itself in place and serves as a guide for insertion by the surgeon of a needle, probe, or catheter to carry out the procedure.
The main advantages of the system are the reduced pain for the patient, its compactness and ease of use, and its applicability to a wide variety of neurosurgical procedures.
