Neurosurgical robotic system for brain tumor removal

• DOI: 10.1007/s11548-010-0514-8
• Publication Date: 2010-07-12T07:32:18Z
• Authors: Jumpei Arata; Yasunori Tada; Hiroaki Kozuka; Tomohiro Wada; Yoshitaka Saito; Norio Ikedo; Yuichiro Hayashi; Masazumi Fujii; Yasukazu Kajita; Masaaki Mizuno; Toshihiko Wakabay...; Jun Yoshida; Hideo Fujimoto
• Keywords: Systems Integration; 0209 industrial biotechnology; Surgery, Computer-Assisted; Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Equipment Design; Robotics; 02 engineering and technology; Neurosurgical Procedures; Software

Brain tumor (e.g., glioma) resection surgery, representing the first step for many treatments, is often difficult and time-consuming for neurosurgeons. Thus, intelligent neurosurgical instruments have been developed to improve tumor removal.The concept and robotic structure of intelligent neurosurgical instruments were introduced. These instruments consist of a surgical robot, a master device and operating software. The robot incorporates a surgical motion base and tool manipulator, including a volume control suction tool. Open Core Control software was developed for connecting intelligent neurosurgical instruments through a network connection and integrating the instruments into a system.Mechanical evaluation tests on the components and a preliminary system evaluation were performed. A phantom model was fixed on a head frame, and a tumor-removal procedure was successfully performed using prototype intelligent neurosurgical instruments.Intelligent neurosurgical instruments are feasible and suitable for on-going evaluation in practical tasks, including in-vivo animal testing.