加拿大卡加利大學(University of Calgary) Dr. Garnette Sutherland研究團隊花了6年的時間,，終于研發(fā)出一座新的外科手術機械系統(tǒng)-NeuroArm,，將對神經(jīng)外科手術帶來革命性的影響，并超越人類手部手術的極限,。
Dr. Sutherland說：「自1960年起,，許多顯微外科技術漸趨成形，但同時也考驗著外科醫(yī)師對手部精準度與靈巧度的極限,。而NeuroArm則大大的改善了這個極限,，并使手術的層面從器官推向更微小的細胞層次?！惯@個系統(tǒng)主要由外科醫(yī)師操控計算機系統(tǒng),，由NeuroArm實際執(zhí)行手術,，并配合實時的核磁共振影像(real-time MRI)，來進行如顯微鏡等級的手術,。目前進階的外科測試正在實驗中,，而今年夏天將用NeuroArm對第一位病人進行手術。
NeuroArm是目前最新穎且前衛(wèi)的機器系統(tǒng)之一,，研發(fā)計劃始于2001年,，由油紙大亨Doc. B. J.以及Don Seaman兄弟提供了二佰萬美元作為NeuroArm計劃的進行。在設計制作過程中也由許多專家及資助單位加入,，包括：慈善構構,、私人單位、政府部門以及學術機構等,。主要由卡加利大學和MDA (發(fā)明太空機器人Canadarm及Canadarm2的單位) 合作研發(fā)，對于醫(yī)藥,、工程,、物理學以及教育學術等領域都有不同程度的影響。使得加拿大及卡加利大學成為外科醫(yī)學自動化的領導先鋒,。
一般來說,，外科醫(yī)師以手部進行外科手術的精密度可達到八分之一英吋 (大約為0.3公分) ，而NeuroArm的精密度卻能達到一條頭發(fā)寬度的距離 (大約為10~100微米) ,，NeuroArm的成就使得外科醫(yī)生能夠進行更精細的手術,。這項世界級的成就將使加拿大在外科醫(yī)學領域中獨占鰲頭，并提高全世界病人的外科手術醫(yī)療質量,。
(資料來源 : Bio.com)
英文原文：
NeuroArm: Navigating the Future of Surgery
04/17/07 -- Surgery is about to change with the introduction of a new surgical robotic system at the University of Calgary/Calgary Health Region. NeuroArm aims to revolutionize neurosurgery and other branches of operative medicine by liberating them from the constraints of the human hand.
The world's first MRI-compatible surgical robot, unveiled today, is the creation of neurosurgeon Dr. Garnette Sutherland and his team. Dr. Sutherland has spent the last six years leading a team of Canadian scientists, in cooperation with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA), to design a machine "that represents a milestone in medical technology."
"Many of our microsurgical techniques evolved in the 1960s, and have pushed surgeons to the limits of their precision, accuracy, dexterity and stamina," says Dr. Sutherland, professor of neurosurgery, University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine and the Calgary Health Region. "NeuroArm dramatically enhances the spatial resolution at which surgeons operate, and shifts surgery from the organ towards the cell level."
Designed to be controlled by a surgeon from a computer workstation, neuroArm operates in conjunction with real-time MR imaging, providing surgeons unprecedented detail and control, enabling them to manipulate tools at a microscopic scale. Advanced surgical testing of neuroArm is currently underway, followed by the first patient, anticipated for this summer.
"The launch of neuroArm places the U of C and the Calgary Health Region at the forefront of the emerging field of biomedical engineering, and establishes Canada's leadership role in image-guided robotic surgery," says U of C President Harvey Weingarten, PhD.
"The Calgary Health Region considers the introduction of the neuroArm an historic moment in our ability to provide unprecedented care and safety to patients in Alberta," says the Calgary Health Region's Chief Executive Officer and President Jack Davis. "We are extremely proud to be a partner in neuroArm and to have worked with such a dedicated team of individuals and funding partners."
NeuroArm, one of the most advanced robotic systems ever developed, was designed and built in collaboration with MDA, known for creating Canadarm and Canadarm2. Bringing neuroArm to life required a unique partnership between medicine, engineering, physics, and education; some of Calgary's most visionary philanthropists; the high-tech sector, and numerous government agencies and research funding organizations. "This unprecedented collaboration is a direct result of Calgary's optimistic and entrepreneurial community spirit," says Dr. Sutherland. "It's no accident a project like this is coming out of Calgary. Our community believes in innovation and supporting challenging projects."
"This is truly a flagship program for the University of Calgary and all the partner agencies involved," says Weingarten. "Visioning and building neuroArm required unprecedented collaboration between numerous government departments, funding agencies and the private sector. Making this a reality will have impacts and benefits we can't even anticipate as Calgary and Canada become known as world leaders in the field of robotic surgery."
