A robotically steered electrode for tumor ablation
Year
2010
Project team
Alexander Slocum with Rajiv Gupta, Nobuhiko Hata, and Conor Walsh
![](https://deshpande.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Project-default-aspect-ratio-580-360-69-580x360-c-default.jpg)
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.