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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