Robot Performs Prostate Surgery Inside an MRI

the_newsbeagle writes: Researchers have developed a non-metallic robot with ceramic piezoelectric motors that functions inside an MRI machine, allowing surgeons to perform procedures guided by real-time imaging. It's now being tested in prostate biopsies. Doctors say this system will let them aim their needles more precisely and reduce the number of times they stick them in. The NIH thinks such systems could come in handy for neurosurgery too. Gregory Fischer, a professor of mechanical engineering at WPI whose Automation and Interventional Medicine Robotics Lab led the research says: "You can bring it into any MRI room and have it up and running in an hour. It can locate the target, track the needle, and if it deflects during insertion, it can steer the needle to hit the target. We’re taking baby steps to get the robot into clinical use."

Comments

Let's get it out of the way

[Anonymous Coward]

First post, some crazy rant about the hosts file, moo moo cows, obligatory robotic overlords meme, etc.

weird sense of deja vu

[Trepidity]

I was just reading about an MRI that performs robot repair inside a prostate, so this headline really tripped me up for a second.

Re:weird sense of deja vu

[drinkypoo]

Why would you have a robot that needs repair way up in there?

What happens when the prostate repair robot breaks down? Do you want to crawl up there and fix it?

First Use?

[BiggerIsBetter]

Bunch of geniuses invent robotic surgical equipment that can operate in an intense magnetic field.

What's the first thing they want to do with it?

"Stick it up his arse!"