IMRIS Collaborates with MDA to Complete the MR Guided Surgical Robot

IMRIS and MacDonald Associates have come together in order to complete the development of the MR guided surgical robotic system. The final phase developmental work is an extension of the developmental work accomplished by the two companies so far.

The developmental work of the MR guided robotic system began in the year 2010, with the aim of making the robot available in the market. At first the companies concentrated on performing microsurgery and biopsy-stereotaxy procedures with utmost precision using the robotic surgical system. The system combines the surgical capabilities of robots with imaging technology such as MR imaging in order to equip the surgeon with total and accurate control while performing neurosurgery. They aim at making the system suitable for performing other procedures as well in future.

The robotic surgical system consists of two robotic arms, which can control the MR tools at a microscopic level remotely. The surgeon can view the surgical tools and comprehensive three-dimensional images of the brain and he uses the hand-held controllers with improved touch sensors in order to feel the tissue. Through these controllers the surgeon is able to apply the right amount of pressure on the tissues during surgery. A clinical trial of the robotic surgical system led by Garnette Sutherland is being conducted at the Calgary Foothills Hospital on 120 patients. Sutherland will be presenting the IMRIS technology and an account of his experiences at the Congress of Neurosurgical Surgeons which is to be held at Washington on the 3 and 4 October.