Robotic solutions to support minimally invasive neurosurgical imaging

Yaskawa Europe today announced that the SEISMIC research consortium has been awarded funding from the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) to transform neurosurgery through the seamless integration of minimally invasive surgical techniques and advanced imaging technologies. The EUR 23.5 million public funding will be complemented by EUR 14.9 million in in-kind contributions and additional resources from industry partners, supporting a five-year research and innovation program that also includes eight clinical studies.

Yaskawa's contribution to the SEISMIC project

Yaskawa's contribution to the SEISMIC project is focused on advancing robotic solutions that can safely support minimally invasive neurosurgical imaging. In close collaboration with project partners, the requirements for custom robotic manipulators are being shaped to reflect the realities of intraoperative imaging in neurosurgery. A next-generation robotic design is under development, combining high precision with an open, collision-minimizing geometry that enables safer and more flexible positioning around the patient.

The entire setup will be evaluated in a pre-clinical environment, where Yaskawa contributes to the technical assessment of the overall robotic platform to ensure that performance, safety, and usability are thoroughly examined. Insights gained from these evaluations will directly inform the next iteration of the robotic manipulators, reinforcing Yaskawa’s commitment to continuous innovation in medical robotics.

“This project marks an important step for Yaskawa in translating our long-standing robotics expertise into the medical domain. We are already actively engaged in medical applications, and the collaboration within this research project allows us to further advance technologies that meet the stringent requirements of healthcare and medical environments.”, says Dominik Jezeršek, Manager Research and Development, Yaskawa Europe.

“It underlines our commitment to making robotics a reliable and integral part of future medical solutions.”, enforces Andreas Waibel, General Manager Engineering EMEA, Yaskawa Europe.

Innovation through public-private partnership

The SEISMIC public-private partnership comprises nine medical technology industry partners (as Philips and Yaskawa), two patient organizations and seven academic partners (Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus University Medical Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, and University of Ljubljana).

While there have been significant advances in the field of neurosurgery, minimally invasive neurosurgical techniques continue to lag significantly behind other surgical disciplines. SEISMIC will develop an integrated suite of technologies, including real-time surgical navigation that combines ultrasound guidance with live X-ray imaging, highly realistic simulation platforms for clinician training, and minimally invasive biopsy and treatment techniques.

By reducing procedure times, minimizing surgical trauma, and accelerating patient recovery, the SEISMIC project aims to improve clinical outcomes and expand access to specialized neurosurgical care for currently underserved populations.