MRI-guided brain tumor surgery robot to improve laser ablation
Official title: Intraoperative MRI-Guided Neurosurgery Robot for Enhancing Ablative Treatment of Brain Cancer
Funded at Aim Medical Robotics INC · NIH-11407571 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new MRI-compatible robotic system helps precise, real-time laser treatment for brain tumors inside the MRI suite.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Aim Medical Robotics INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,008,660 |
| NIH project number | 1R44CA314728-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11407571 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with primary or metastatic brain tumors eligible for MRI-guided laser ablation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not suitable for MRI-guided procedures or laser ablation may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports testing a compact robotic system that works inside the MRI to guide laser ablation of brain tumors. It aims to improve placement accuracy, real-time visualization, and workflow so patients don’t need to move between rooms. The project will study how neurosurgery teams interact with the robot and optimize the steps from imaging to ablation in a first-in-human setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could make brain tumor surgery safer, faster, and more accurate with fewer transfers and complications.
How similar studies have gone: Prior MRI-compatible robotics have shown safety and submillimeter accuracy in phantom and DBS contexts, with clinical translation progressing here to first-in-human use.
Where this research is happening
-
Aim Medical Robotics INC
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fischer, Gregory S — Aim Medical Robotics INC
- Study coordinator: Fischer, Gregory S
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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.