Inteum Company
Links
Visible Legacy
RSS
News & Resources
Inteum Company News
Inteum Library
Subscribe
Robotic 3D Guidance and Placement of MIS Tools in the Brain
Case ID:
M25-084L
Web Published:
7/26/2025
There are numerous neurological disorders which involve the mesial temporal lobe structures of the brain, such as the hippocampus, amygdala and entorhinal cortex, but may not be adequately treated with pharmaceuticals. Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques may offer a better option for treating these disorders, however, implanting or placement of the MIS tools rely on linear trajectories and manual navigation, limiting the ability to reach the required regions of the brain accurately and safely.
Drug-Resistant Epilepsy (DRE) affects a significant number of patients who do not respond adequately to conventional anti-epileptic drugs. Stereotactic Laser Ablation of the Hippocampus (SLAH) has emerged as a minimally invasive surgical option to target epileptic foci within the brain, particularly in cases of temporal lobe epilepsy.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a major mental health issue, particularly among veterans. Ineffectiveness of traditional PTSD treatments, like SSRIs and cognitive behavioral therapy, make treatment difficult for many patients. Neuromodulation techniques have been explored and have shown promise in addressing this treatment gap, however, there are surgical limitations and risks associated with electrode placement for precisely targeting the sub-nuclei of the amygdala, which is crucial to PTSD pathology.
Researchers at Arizona State University in collaboration with a researcher at Barrow Neurological have developed a novel approach to navigate MIS tools through complex brain structures with high accuracy and reduced risk to surrounding tissues. For DRE, it employs magnetic steering for precise targeting of epileptic foci within the hippocampus. For PTSD neuromodulation, it employs robotic 3D placement of electrodes, specifically targeting the amygdala with magnetic guidance.
These technologies aim to enhance the efficacy and safety of treatments for DRE and PTSD, addressing the limitations of current therapeutic approaches.
Potential Applications
Neuromodulation devices for mental health applications
Treatment of PTSD, particularly in veterans
Neurosurgical interventions for DRE
Placement of tools for MIS procedures
Research tool for exploring neuromodulation effects on the amygdala and related mesial temporal lobe structures
Benefits and Advantages
Superior targeting precision for electrode placement
Reduction in the risk of collateral damage to surrounding brain tissue
Innovative approach to PTSD treatment with the potential for improved patient outcomes
Minimally invasive approach reduces patient recovery time and risk of complications
Enhanced precision in targeting epileptic foci improves treatment outcomes
Magnetic steering allows for non-linear navigation, reaching previously inaccessible areas of the brain
Increases the potential applicability and success rates of SLAH in DRE treatment
For more information about the inventor(s) and their research, please see
Dr. Marvi's departmental webpage
Dr. Marvi’s laboratory webpage
Patent Information:
Title
App Type
Country
Serial No.
Patent No.
File Date
Issued Date
Expire Date
Direct Link:
https://canberra-ip.technologypublisher.com/tech/Robotic_3D_Guidance_and_Plac ement_of_MIS_Tools_in_the_Brain
Keywords:
Bookmark this page
Download as PDF
For Information, Contact:
Jovan Heusser
Director of Licensing and Business Development
Skysong Innovations
jovan.heusser@skysonginnovations.com