A robot detects breast cancer with space-grade technology. The same technology that is used for giant robotic arms to help astronauts in space is showing potential for use in medicine. The robot can take breast biopsies with astounding precision and consistency. The machine is called the Image-Guided Autonomous Robot (IGAR). The technology descends from a line of robotic arms built for the Canadian Space Agency, such as Canadarm. IGAR works with an MRI scanner, which can help doctors to see potentially harmful tissue in the breast. MRI is currently used to examine areas of the breast found to be potentially harmful. Using special software, a radiologist can tell IGAR which area to target with a needle-based biopsy device. IGAR works with such precision that it can insert the needle within 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) of a lesion with a high degree of accuracy. Dr. Mehran Anvari, CEO and director at Canada’s Centre for Surgical Invention and Innovation says that IGAR can improve sampling, reduce pain involved in the procedure and safe money. It also will allow all radiologists to perform this procedure equally well, regardless of the number of cases per year and move the site of treatment from operation room to radiology suite for a significant number of patients, Anvari explained in a statement from NASA. livescience/40939-breast-cancer-space-robot.html?cmpid=514645
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 20:42:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015