Page 138 - International Space Station Benefits for Humanity, 3rd edition.

is an image-guided, computer-assisted neurosurgery North America, providing surgeons with an optimal
device, and the Image-Guided Autonomous Robot view of the surgical field through high-powered optics.
(IGAR), which is a digital surgical tool that provides The automated digital microscope moves seamlessly
increased access, precision and dexterity for performing and tracks the surgeon’s tools to maintain focus on
highly accurate, minimally invasive procedures. the procedure and helps to shorten procedure times
Canadian space robotics technology also led to by minimizing the need for surgeons to make manual
BrightMatter Drive—a robotic digital microscope adjustments. Large screens provide the surgical team
TM
developed by Toronto-based Synaptive Medical in with a holistic, collaborative view of the patient’s brain
partnership with Canadian robotics leader MacDonald, and spine. Used in combination with other Synaptive
Dettwiler and Associates (MDA), a Maxar Technologies technologies, Modus V may allow surgeons to operate
company and CSA’s partner in designing the on brain tumors previously deemed inoperable.
Canadarms. Drive features some of the same The journey from a 17-m (55-ft) arm in space to high-
software as Canadarm2 to help neurosurgeons powered microscopic images of the human brain, it
perform minimally invasive clinical procedures with turns out, runs through the space station.
greater safety and efficiency. Drive launched in 2015,
and feedback from surgeons within partner hospitals
guided Synaptive to create the second-generation Robotic Arms Lend a Healing Touch
microscope, Modus V™, which was launched in The delicate touch that successfully removed an
October 2017 in North America and became globally egg-shaped tumor from Paige Nickason’s brain got a
B4H 3rd Edition helping hand from a world-renowned arm—a robotic
available in August 2018.
Modus V is being used to help to treat patients with a arm, that is. The technology that went into developing
variety of brain and spine conditions in hospitals across neuroArm—the world’s first robot capable of performing
surgery inside magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
machines—was born of the Canadarm (developed in
collaboration with engineers at MDA for the U.S. Space
Shuttle Program) as well as Canadarm2 and Dextre,
the CSA’s family of space robots performing the heavy
Applying Space lifting and maintenance aboard the ISS.
Technology The development of neuroArm began with the search
used to Power for a solution to a surgical dilemma: Is it possible to
Automated Surgery perform surgery within the bore of a magnet—i.e.,
an MRI system—while imaging is being acquired?
Economic
Scientific
Synaptive Medical and MDA collaborated to Towards this, MDA worked with a team led by
Valuation
Valuation
engineer the Modus V —a commercially Dr. Garnette Sutherland, Professor of Neurosurgery
TM
available digital robotic microscope designed at the University of Calgary, to develop a highly precise
using principles of the International Space robotic system that works in conjunction with the
SCIENTIFIC
ECONOMIC
Station’s Canadarm2 technology. Currently advanced imaging capabilities of MRI systems.
VALUATION
VALUATION
used in leading healthcare centers, research This required designing a robot that was as dexterous
institutions and community hospitals across as the human hand, precise, accurate and without
North America, the Modus V has the potential tremor. For safety, the system had to be built from
to offer brain surgery to patients considered
inoperable using other methods, and may
potentially improve spinal surgery methods
by lowering the risk of complications and by The image-guided autonomous
reducing recovery time. As of this publication,
Modus V has been used to treat more than robot (IGAR) will provide increased
1,000 cases during its 8 months on the market; access, precision and dexterity,
Synaptive’s BrightMatter technology has been
resulting in more-accurate and
Human Earth Observation Innovative Global Economic
used in more than 5,000 cases.
less-invasive procedures.
Health and Disaster Technology Education Development
Response of Space

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