Telerobotic neurovascular interventions with magnetic manipulation

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Medical Robotics
• Endovascular Interventions

Background:

• Robotic surgery offers enhanced precision but faces challenges in neurosurgery due to complex brain vasculature.
• Existing robotic systems are not suitable for delicate neurovascular applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel teleoperated robotic neurointerventional platform utilizing magnetic manipulation.
• To evaluate the system's ability to navigate tortuous neurovasculature and perform therapeutic procedures.

Main Methods:

• Development of a magnetically controlled guidewire and a robotic arm for steering.
• Integration of motorized drives for guidewire advancement and a remote control console.
• In vitro testing with neurovascular phantoms and in vivo evaluation in porcine models.

Main Results:

• Successful navigation of narrow, winding pathways in both phantom and animal models.
• Demonstration of telerobotically assisted coil embolization for aneurysms and thrombectomy for stroke.
• The system showed potential for safer, faster access to challenging lesions.

Conclusions:

• The magnetic robotic platform shows promise for endovascular neurosurgery.
• It may improve treatment of cerebral aneurysms and ischemic stroke.
• Potential to reduce physician radiation exposure and enable remote procedural services.