Canadian researcher studies MRI, robotic tool for neurosurgery

Garnette Sutherland, MD, a Canadian Institutes of Health Research-supported scientist and surgeon at the University of Calgary in Alberta, has developed a computerized surgical system that combines MRI and robotics.

"[W]e set out to create an MR-compatible robot that could go into the magnet and conduct surgery while being guided by real-time MR images," Sutherland said.

Sutherland contacted vendors that had developed other kinds of medical robots, but they did not have the capacity to build something that could work inside of an MRI machine. He finally contacted MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA), a Canadian engineering firm that developed the Canadarm.

"They had considerable know-how in engineering and space robotics, but they had limited medical know-how," Sutherland said.

The end result of this collaboration was neuroArm—the surgical robot is similar to Dexter, a two-armed robot developed by MDA to help repair and maintain the International Space Station. However, NeuroArm is controlled by a neurosurgeon, and uses MR images generated during the surgery to guide the robot. The project was an educational experience for both Sutherland's team and the MDA engineers.

Sutherland has already used the neuroArm to perform numerous brain surgeries. He is now working on commercializing the system and creating a training program that will help other brain surgeons learn how to use this new technology.  

"We feel this technology is ideally positioned for the upcoming generation of neurosurgeons," Sutherland noted.

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