Monday, July 10, 2017

World smallest, most accurate, MRI compatible robot for precise breast cancer biopsy unveiled.



Robots have already carved out a space in health industry and have revolutionized the way the healthcare is delivered round the world- from nanobots that scrape the arterial walls to remove plaque to Blue-Collar Robots that roam around in hospitals performing menial tasks.

The researchers at University of Twente have launched the smallest, accurate 3D printed plastic robot compatible to be used in MRI scanner. The robot is aptly named The Stormram 4, and is used to perform biopsy during a breast cancer scan in an MRI, significantly improving the precision and accuracy. When implemented into clinical practice, it enables very early and precise detection and treatment of breast cancer and has the capacity to  save thousands of lives.  

MRI scanners are the current norm for the extremely accurate detection and anatomical localization of the abnormal tissue. But, currently there is no way to take a biopsy from the tissue in real time. Instead scans are taken prior to the biopsy that helps the movement and direction of the needle for taking a tissue sample. Soft tissues like breast allows for significant tissue movement and the mass can be displaced since the last scan.



The Stormram 4, is made up of 3D printed plastic and is driven by air pressure. It is small enough to fit the MRI scanner’s tunnel and is controlled by 5-meter-long air pipes outside the scanner. The 3D printed robot is capable of accurately maneuvering a needle tip near the lesion, within a range of a few millimeters, a level of precision which would be very difficult if not impossible for a human hand to achieve.

It recently competed and won an award in the Surgical Robot Challenge 2017 at the Hamlyn Symposium in London.

The Stormram 4 project was carried out by Vincent Green House MSc, Dr. Françoise Siepel and Prof. Stefano Stramigioli of the Robotics and Mechatronics (RAM) lab at the University of Twente.

This video from the University of Twente shows off the new robot.



 Photo Courtesy: University of Twente

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