The TumorCNC: Development and Evaluation of a First-Prototype Automated Tumor Resection Device

Abstract

As technology advances the state of medical imaging, the capabilities of surgical tooling has remained stagnant, contributing to a rift between a surgeon’s ability to perceive and their ability to act. At this point in the evolution of surgical tooling, some level of action must be yielded to robotic control. This thesis describes the development and provides an evaluation of a first-prototype device for automated tumor removal. Specifically, the device combines a unique implementation of a three-dimensional scanner with a steerable cutting laser, enabling both sensing and cutting in a platform that can generate 3D images of relatively smooth surfaces to a precision beyond the ability of a human surgeon to act. This device will be used as a research platform to answer the important questions currently standing in the way of bringing automation into the operating room. This work outlines the foundational development of a device that could provide a significant improvement to patient outcomes and reduce operating costs by a magnitude not yet demonstrated in the field of surgical robotics.