A robotically steered electrode for tumor ablation

Precision performance

Conventional thermal ablation for treating cancer is limited in precision and configurability as straight needle-like electrodes are manually inserted through the skin and into a tumor in the body. This project will develop a robotically steered electrode that can perform many small ablations in precise three-dimensional locations by moving the electrode tip within the tumor. This will extend the use of thermal ablation as a minimally invasive technique for treating cancer; thus eliminating the need for open or laparoscopic surgery for some patients.