Innovative Treatment for Hydrocephalus Using Medical Millirobots
By MedImaging International staff writers Posted on 03 Nov 2015 |
New research has proposed the use of medical millirobots to treat Hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid in the skull that can cause chronic mental disabilities.
Aaron T. Becker, engineering professor, UH Cullen College of Engineering (Houston, TX, USA), collaborated with other researchers to present the research study on the treatment of Hydrocephalus using millirobots powered by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), using a Gauss Gun. Currently, treatments for Hydrocephalus patients consist of brain surgery, pressure-relieving shunts.
The researchers used an MRI scanner to map routes to problem sites identified in high-quality brain images. The researchers then used the magnetic field of the MRI, and a Gauss gun to deliver small maneuverable robots and deliver medical interventions.
Becker, said, “Hydrocephalus, among other conditions, is a candidate for correction by our millirobots because the ventricles are fluid-filled and connect to the spinal canal. Our noninvasive approach would eventually require simply a hypodermic needle or lumbar puncture to introduce the components into the spinal canal, and the components could be steered out of the body afterwards. The work is still conceptual, but we have demonstrated the procedure working on plastic, fluid-filled containers, or phantoms, inside an unmodified clinical MRI scanner. The benefit of our research is that we can now create clinically relevant forces inside a standard MRI scanner, using just the MRI magnetic field.”
Related Links:
UH College of Engineering
Aaron T. Becker, engineering professor, UH Cullen College of Engineering (Houston, TX, USA), collaborated with other researchers to present the research study on the treatment of Hydrocephalus using millirobots powered by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), using a Gauss Gun. Currently, treatments for Hydrocephalus patients consist of brain surgery, pressure-relieving shunts.
The researchers used an MRI scanner to map routes to problem sites identified in high-quality brain images. The researchers then used the magnetic field of the MRI, and a Gauss gun to deliver small maneuverable robots and deliver medical interventions.
Becker, said, “Hydrocephalus, among other conditions, is a candidate for correction by our millirobots because the ventricles are fluid-filled and connect to the spinal canal. Our noninvasive approach would eventually require simply a hypodermic needle or lumbar puncture to introduce the components into the spinal canal, and the components could be steered out of the body afterwards. The work is still conceptual, but we have demonstrated the procedure working on plastic, fluid-filled containers, or phantoms, inside an unmodified clinical MRI scanner. The benefit of our research is that we can now create clinically relevant forces inside a standard MRI scanner, using just the MRI magnetic field.”
Related Links:
UH College of Engineering
Latest MRI News
- Low-Cost Whole-Body MRI Device Combined with AI Generates High-Quality Results
- World's First Whole-Body Ultra-High Field MRI Officially Comes To Market
- World's First Sensor Detects Errors in MRI Scans Using Laser Light and Gas
- Diamond Dust Could Offer New Contrast Agent Option for Future MRI Scans
- Combining MRI with PSA Testing Improves Clinical Outcomes for Prostate Cancer Patients
- PET/MRI Improves Diagnostic Accuracy for Prostate Cancer Patients
- Next Generation MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound Ushers In Future of Incisionless Neurosurgery
- Two-Part MRI Scan Detects Prostate Cancer More Quickly without Compromising Diagnostic Quality
- World’s Most Powerful MRI Machine Images Living Brain with Unrivaled Clarity
- New Whole-Body Imaging Technology Makes It Possible to View Inflammation on MRI Scan
- Combining Prostate MRI with Blood Test Can Avoid Unnecessary Prostate Biopsies
- New Treatment Combines MRI and Ultrasound to Control Prostate Cancer without Serious Side Effects
- MRI Improves Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer
- Combined PET-MRI Scan Improves Treatment for Early Breast Cancer Patients
- 4D MRI Could Improve Clinical Assessment of Heart Blood Flow Abnormalities
- MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Prostate Cancer