Bio-Engineering Approach to Stereotactic Surgery of the Brain

Abstract

Surgical treatment of Parkinsonism and other diseases affecting the control of movement involves destruction of certain structures deep within the brain substance. Striking relief of many of the more distressing symptoms of these movement disorders follows successful surgery. Many problems of an engineering nature are encountered by the neurosurgeon when directing instruments towards deeply situated structures in the brain. Some of the techniques and equipment developed as a result of collaboration between the Neurosurgical Unit at the Salford Royal Hospital and the Mechanical Engineering Department of the University of Salford are described, and in particular the development of a three-dimensional monitoring system for the guidance of the surgical instruments is outlined.