Epilepsy is a very serious condition with a multitude of possible
causes. In some cases it may be treatable with medicine or various kinds
of therapy, but those cases who do not respond to any such treatment
may opt for brain surgery as a last resort. This usually involves
drilling into the patient's skull in order to reach the problem areas of
the brain and perform the necessary procedure. New technology from
Vanderbilt University may reduce the invasiveness of these operations by
obviating the need to reach the brain through the skull.
Popular Science:
"Researchers from Vanderbilt University have announced a robot, still under development, that can target precise spots in the brain through the cheek--a route that could avoid critical regions of the skull and nervous system."
Among other advantages, this new approach reduces the need for surgeons to perform operations manually, which carries additional risks in such a delicate area of the body.
"Eventually, doctors will conduct the surgery inside an MRI machine, which can track the needle's minute progress through the soft tissue. But making sure that progress doesn't slice up the surrounding brain is a challenge. 'Whatever path the tip takes, the next segments have to follow that," says ComberAny deviation could be devastating. Their machine's reported accuracy is 1.18 millimeters -- only 0.04 millimeters wider than the needle itself.'"
Popular Science:
"Researchers from Vanderbilt University have announced a robot, still under development, that can target precise spots in the brain through the cheek--a route that could avoid critical regions of the skull and nervous system."
Among other advantages, this new approach reduces the need for surgeons to perform operations manually, which carries additional risks in such a delicate area of the body.
"Eventually, doctors will conduct the surgery inside an MRI machine, which can track the needle's minute progress through the soft tissue. But making sure that progress doesn't slice up the surrounding brain is a challenge. 'Whatever path the tip takes, the next segments have to follow that," says ComberAny deviation could be devastating. Their machine's reported accuracy is 1.18 millimeters -- only 0.04 millimeters wider than the needle itself.'"
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