Brain surgery is about to get a lot quieter and gentler. A team of researchers has developed a neurosurgery system that uses lasers and robots to open the skull without trauma, a breakthrough that could significantly increase the number of patients willing to undergo awake surgery, improving the chances of success.
Would you let a robot perform brain surgery on you?
The question is provocative, and I admit that I threw it into the mix to see what effect it has on you (and on ME). But it is not science fiction, it is the reality in development at the Fraunhofer ILT. The best neurosurgeons know well how crucial it is to be able to operate on a patient while he or she is awake, especially when it comes to brain tumors o movement disorders. But the psychological trauma associated with the noises and vibrations of traditional instruments often discourages this option.
The new robotic laser system (called Project STELLA, more details here) promises to change all that. The precision of the laser, combined with the delicacy of the robot, allows the skull to be opened with almost no noise or vibration. To put it simply, it's like switching from a pneumatic hammer to a scalpel of light. New perspectives are opening up for interventions that many patients refuse today, such as deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's. The neurosurgeon maintains full control of the operation, while the robot provides a precision impossible to achieve with traditional techniques.
Work in progress
The heart of the system is a CO2 laser that emits ultrashort pulses of 120 nanoseconds. Dr. Achim Lenenbach, head of the Department of Medical Laser Technology and Biophotonics at the Fraunhofer ILT, explains that these pulses are so rapid that they do not cause any thermal damage to the surrounding tissue.
The current cutting speed is 1,6 cubic millimeters per second, and researchers are working to reach 2,5 cubic millimeters per second, the ideal speed for clinical use. A new solid-state laser, developed specifically for this purpose, promises to achieve this goal.
The system also includes sophisticated monitoring via optical coherence tomography (OCT) which constantly monitors the depth of the cut, ensuring that the laser stops before reaching the meninges.
The future of neurosurgery is here
The researchers created a complete virtual model of the system, allowing them to test and optimize every aspect of the operation without risk. This detailed simulation helps refine the technology before its use in the operating room. Post-operative healing should also be faster thanks to the precision of the laser cutting, which leaves clean edges that are not thermally damaged. This means fewer complications and shorter recovery times for patients.
The system will be presented at the MEDICA 2024 fair in Düsseldorf, where neurosurgeons from around the world will be able to see this innovative technology up close. If all goes as planned, we could be at the beginning of a new era in neurosurgery, where robotic precision combines with the gentleness of lasers to offer better and less traumatic care. But you still haven't answered me: would you let a robot operate on your brain? If so, let me know on Futuro Prossimo's social channels.
