Jon Excell

German researchers build robotic ear worm

News

Researchers in Germany have developed a worm-like surgical robot that they claim could revolutionise the treatment of inner ear tumours.

Removing tumours from within the inner ear is a delicate process that typically requires the removal of the entire mastoid bone, the sponge like bone-structure which surrounds the inner and middle ear.

However, the creators of the tiny NiLiBoRo device (Non-linear Drilling Robot) claim their system, which is able to steer its way around sensitive tissues whilst it cuts a 5mm tunnel through the bone, could make the process far less invasive.

The system is being developed by researchers in the Mannheim Project Group for Automation in Medicine and Biotechnology, part of the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation IPA, in cooperation with the Technical University of Darmstadt, the University of Aachen, and the Düsseldorf University Clinic.

According to project group scientist Lennart Karstensen, whilst drilling machines capable of boring a tunnel through bone already exist, NiLiBoRo is the first one that can drill around corners as well.

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