A smart needle with robotic control for prostate cancer treatment
Smart Needle with Intelligent Robotic Control for Prostate Brachytherapy
This study is testing a new, flexible needle that doctors can control with a robot to make prostate cancer treatment safer and more precise, helping to reduce the number of times the needle needs to be inserted and lessening damage to surrounding tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10877709 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a flexible, 3D steerable needle that can be controlled robotically to improve the precision of brachytherapy for prostate cancer. By allowing for curvilinear needle paths, the smart needle aims to reduce the number of insertions needed and minimize tissue damage during the procedure. The project also explores teleoperative guidance, enabling surgeons to operate the needle with enhanced accuracy and control. This innovative approach seeks to make prostate cancer treatment safer and more effective for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with prostate cancer who are considering brachytherapy as a treatment option.
Not a fit: Patients with prostate cancer who are not eligible for brachytherapy or those with advanced stages of the disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more precise and less invasive prostate cancer treatments, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results with similar robotic-assisted techniques in other medical procedures, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Honolulu, United States
- University of Hawaii at Manoa — Honolulu, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Konh, Bardia — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Konh, Bardia
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.