Media

World’s first intra-operative MRI-guided robot for bilateral stereotactic neurosurgery

11 Jun 2018

 

A HKU Mechanical Engineering team led by Dr. Kwok Ka-wai recently designed the first neurosurgical robotic system capable of performing bilateral stereotactic neurosurgery inside a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) scanner. Pre-clinical validation of the system was conducted by CUHK neurosurgeons, Dr Danny Chan Tat-ming and Professor Poon Wai-sang. This innovative technological breakthrough can facilitate the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other neuropsychiatric disorders.

MRI scanners have very strong magnetic fields and most metallic components are forbidden in MRI environments, including the electromagnetic (EM) motors commonly used in robots. The team has developed a totally MR-compatible tele-operation system.  The success of this project would represent a major step towards safer, more accurate and effective brain surgery. It is believed that all these components can be applied to other interventions requiring MRI guidance, e.g. cardiac catheterization, prostate or breast biopsy.

The team comprising both engineers and surgeons was recently conferred the Best Conference Paper Award in the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation 2018 (ICRA’18).

The research team will meet the media to share the research findings. Details of the press briefing are as follows:

Date: June 13, 2018 (Wednesday)
Time: 10:30am
Venue: Lecture Theatre A, Chow Yei Ching Building, The University of Hong Kong (MTR HKU Station Exit A2)

Spokespersons:
Dr. Kwok Ka-wai, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, HKU
Ms. Guo Ziyan, PhD Candidate, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, HKU
Dr. Danny Chan Tat-ming, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, CUHK
Professor Poon Wai-sang, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, CUHK
Mr. Ian Huen Chung-yuen, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Aptorum Group Limited

Media enquiry:
Faculty of Engineering:
Dr. Peggy Leung (Tel:2219-4492; Email: peggypeg@hku.hk)
Ms. Rhea Leung (Tel: 3917-8519 / 9022-7446; Email: rhea.leung@hku.hk)

Communication and Public Affairs Office:
Ms Trinni Choy (Tel: 2859 2606; Email: pychoy@hku.hk)
Ms Rashida Suffiad (Tel: 2857 8555; Email: rsuffiad@hku.hk)