Robot-assisted laser to revolutionize brain surgery

Medicine Robot-assisted laser to revolutionize brain surgery

2024-11-20 Source: Fraunhofer ILT | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

Related Vendors

Surgery on the human brain is complicated and involves many risks. A new technology could now reduce this risk and stress for patients.

Laser applicator with integrated mini scanner, telescope, OCT sensor and beam position monitoring.(Image: Fraunhofer ILT) — Laser applicator with integrated mini scanner, telescope, OCT sensor and beam position monitoring.
(Image: Fraunhofer ILT)

A team from the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) has developed a robot-assisted laser procedure that is designed to make brain surgery significantly less stressful for awake patients. According to a press release, the system enables vibration- and noise-free craniotomies, in which the skull is opened, and thus significantly reduces psychological stress for the patient. The laser cutting process uses precise short-pulse lasers that minimize the risk of thermal damage and promote faster healing. Brain surgery on awake patients has the advantage that the surgical team can approach the patient at any time to check the effects of the procedure. However, previous methods of opening the skull were associated with considerable psychological stress for patients.

The core of the system is a fiber-guided solid-state laser that works with sensory control using optical coherence tomography (OCT). This system monitors the ablation in real time and protects sensitive structures such as the meninges. The procedure enables more radical tumor removal and more precise placement of implants for deep brain stimulation.

The project aims to expand the possible applications of laser-based operations, potentially including spinal surgery. Virtual system models support the development and enable efficient prototyping. According to the researchers, the innovative procedure could revolutionize neurosurgery and significantly improve the quality of life of many patients.

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.