NiLiBoRo is held in
place during surgery using its expandable bladders. Researchers are
currently
optimizing the pocket geometry using multiple prototypes. © Fraunhofer IPA
(November 6, 2015) Removing
tumors from within the inner ear is a very delicate matter that typically
requires surgeons to remove the entire mastoid bone. However, in the future,
all doctors will need to do is cut a tunnel of 5 mm in diameter through the
bone using a miniature robot named NiLiBoRo. The system is capable of adjusting
its path while drilling through bone to steer around sensitive tissue such as
blood vessels and nerves. Researchers will be displaying the new technology at
the Compamed exhibition from November 16-19 in Düsseldorf (Hall 08a, Booth
K38).
Surgery is unavoidable for treating inner ear tumors, but
the inner ear is difficult to access. This is because it is covered by a
cranial bone known as the mastoid, or petrosal bone. What’s more, the
surrounding tissue contains lots of nerves and blood vessels. For this reason
the surgeons will cut out as much of the mastoid bone as needed until they have
located each one of these sensitive structures. Only then can they be sure not
to damage them. What this entails most of the time is the removal of the entire
bone. The hole thus created is filled in with fatty tissue taken from the
abdomen after the completion of the procedure.