Robotic arm offers assist in image-guided removal of brain blood clot

Researchers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., are working on an image-guided process for removing clots after intracerebral hemorrhage. However, rather than rely on an expert surgeon to conduct the challenging procedure, the researchers are leveraging the steady hand of a robot.

The technique, described in an article published in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, uses a CT scan for guidance and utilizes steerable needles about the size of those used in biopsies to actually remove the clot.

Check out the video below for a more in-depth look at how the system works: 

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