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Insight Medbotics has secured FDA clearance for the world's first surgical robot to operate within the bore of an MRI machine.
The robot, called image-guided automated robot (IGAR), is designed to assist in performing breast biopsies to investigate suspicious lesions for traces of cancer.
IGAR is made mostly of plastic and non-ferrous metals to prevent it from being tossed around the MRI suite.
The robot is powered by a separate, shielded control cart that is kept just out of range of the scanner.
IGAR is designed to be compatible with a range of off-the-shelf biopsy tools, syringes and anesthesia needles.
The company hopes to adapt the technology for use outside MRI suites, within standard operating rooms and even doctors' offices.
