Researchers from the Hawkes Institute at University College London showcased their latest advances in AI-driven surgical technology at the recent NVIDIA MedTech Meetup at OR-X Balgrist in Zurich.
Dr Zhehua Mao presented a live demonstration of a real-time AI assistant specifically designed to support endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery.
This minimally invasive procedure, the most commonly performed method for removing pituitary tumours, accesses the skull base via the nasal cavity.
Building on cutting-edge AI models, the research team has developed a system that aids surgeons during operations by accurately identifying safe entry points into the skull base for tumour access and removal.
The system also highlights and labels vital anatomical structures surrounding the surgical site, helping surgeons preserve essential tissues and reduce surgical risk.
The application, designed as both an intraoperative navigation tool and an interactive training aid, aims to enhance precision and safety in endoscopic pituitary surgeries.
Supported by the EPSRC projects CARES and AID-PitSurg, the system is currently in pre-clinical testing, with ongoing evaluations of its performance and usability in realistic surgical environments.
The event provided a valuable platform to share innovative approaches to AI-assisted neurosurgical navigation and to foster collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders in AI, robotics, and surgical technologies.
The project is part of an ongoing partnership with NVIDIA Healthcare to develop real-time, GPU-accelerated surgical AI solutions for the global surgical community.
