Researchers succeed in pre-clinical examination of non-invasive microsurgical robot

By Lim Chang-won Posted : October 24, 2018, 14:32 Updated : October 24, 2018, 14:32

[Courtesy of Korea Institue of Science and Technology (KIST)]


SEOUL -- South Korean researchers succeeded in the pre-clinical examination of a non-invasive microsurgical robot system for epidural neuroplasty to treat the back disk pain. They said the new system could be used extensively in sophisticated microsurgery.

The state-funded Korea Institue of Science and Technology (KIST) said Wednesday that its research team used a cadaver for an experiment to verify the performance of "Dr. Hujoon" at Yonsei University's Severance Hospital in Seoul.

Epiduroscopic neuroplasty refers to a procedure in which drugs are injected into nerves damaged by inflammatory reactions such as discs and stenosis to alleviate the inflammatory response and improve symptoms.

Dr. Hujoon consists of a robot arm and a "catheter" tube that can place drugs or shoot a laser in the correct position in the body. A catheter with a diameter of about 3 mm includes an illuminating optical fiber, a camera and a surgical instrument passage for injecting analgesics and laser penetration. It can be flexed to an S-shape.

KIST researchers said that for Wednesday's experiment, they used an upgraded and stabilized system that can be controlled remotely for precise treatment. The catheter has a high-resolution ultra-small camera to improve the depth and viewing angle.

 
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