Robot for skull operations

© naftemporiki.gr Robot for skull operations

Opening a hole in the skull for surgical purposes requires great precision and often long hours are required, which makes it a very difficult test for the surgeon, which is why researchers at the TU / e (Technical University Eindhoven) developed a surgical robot for that very purpose.

This robot is extremely accurate and can automatically and safely open a hole in a desired shape and size. Developed by Jordan Bop, at the request of physician and skull surgeon Derrick Kunst (Radboud UMC, The Netherlands).

Bop made the robot in order to undertake at least part of these operations: For starters he went to at least 20 operations and then created about 20 concepts. Then he created a detailed draft of the best concept and made a prototype, which is now ready, and the first trials have already been done.

RoBoSculpt works based on exact instructions from the surgeon, which accurately indicates the parts of the bone to be removed in skull images. In fact, the robot -which has seven axes of movement to be able to operate at all angles – is a very advanced arm holding a surgical drilling tool. Prior to surgery, the head is fixed with the highest possible precision to the desired position, and the robot proceeds to the opening of the hole.

Using RoBoSculpt reduces the duration of the operation, and is estimated to result in fewer complications and easier recovery, making operations less “difficult” for the patient, and possibly less expensive. It also relieves surgeons from a particularly difficult procedure, allowing them to continue to do their job even at older ages.

Source: naftemporiki.gr