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Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes repeated seizures, and for many patients, medicines alone are not enough to control the condition. In such cases, surgeons may use a procedure called stereoencephalography (SEEG), where thin electrodes are inserted into the brain to pinpoint areas that may trigger seizures. At present, each suspected region typically requires a separate opening in the skull, with electrodes placed along straight paths. This may require up to 20 skull openings, resulting in long operations, high infection risk, and slow recovery. In children, this is even more challenging because their skulls and brains are more delicate. 

Our project aims to enable curved-path SEEG implantation, making the procedure less invasive, safer, more autonomous, and more accurate through the integration of state-of-the-art robotics, advanced sensing and AI. It combines a precise robotic arm with a tiny, flexible “snake-like” robot that can bend and move along curved paths inside the brain. This means, multiple seizure areas could be reached through just one opening in the skull and some critical areas in the brain can be avoided.The “snake” robot will be guided by thin optical fibers that function as sensors, providing its real-time shape and position inside the brain, allowing surgeons to monitor the procedure. Once the curved path is planned, AI algorithms will help the robot move semi-autonomously, carefully navigating around sensitive brain regions (e.g. ventricles) and blood vessels.

This robot will serve as a general-purpose tool that can be adapted to many applications in the brain. For example, the robot could be used for precise multi-point drug delivery for drug testing, or perform deep brain stimulation. By introducing a new treatment paradigm that reduces trauma and improves safety, this project has the potential to make intracranial monitoring less invasive, enhance the lives of epilepsy patients, while also alleviating pressure on the healthcare system.