A tiny robot developed in Israel is no bigger than a pen, yet it has all the tools a brain surgeon needs to operate on a patient.
Tamar Robotics has developed the world’s smallest and most accurate robotic system for minimally invasive brain surgery, with a diameter of just 10mm (0.4in).
It’s equipped with a camera, two steerable and bendable robotic arms that can hold classic surgical tools, and an extendable scaffolding that makes it easier to see and maneuver the tools within the target workspace.
The company is based near Haifa and was founded by Prof. Moshe Shoham, who is considered to be one of the pioneers of medical robotics. He hopes the system will be approved for use in American hospitals in 2026.
Every millimeter counts when operating on the brain. Neurosurgeons normally have about one to two inches (25-50mm) of workspace, and often need to drill large openings in the skull to fit cameras, microscopes, and other tools, to ensure maximum accuracy when operating.
The deeper they need to dig into the patient’s brain, the more complex the approach to the target tumor, and the higher the risk of damage to healthy brain tissue, which can result in a range of complications such as memory problems, loss of speech or movement, seizures, and even death.
But with Tamar Robotics’ system, they only need to create a single, small incision in the skull and corridor, reducing the risk and recovery time for the patient.
Keep reading at nocamels.com.
