World's first AI-supported live brain surgery performed
Surgeons at University College London Hospital successfully preserved a patient's vision during the first tumor operation performed with real-time artificial intelligence support.
For the first time in the world, surgeons at University College London Hospital performed a real-time AI-assisted brain surgery, successfully removing a patient's tumor and preventing the risk of potential blindness.
The First AI-Supported Operation
At University College London Hospital, a live AI-supported brain surgery was performed for the first time in the world, successfully removing a tumor from the patient's brain.
Intervention Preventing Vision Loss
Surgeons stated that with the help of artificial intelligence technology, critical blood vessels and nerves were protected, preventing the risk of potential blindness from the tumor and allowing it to be removed safely.
Patient's Condition and Nature of the Tumor
It was stated that an 11-millimeter non-cancerous tumor growing in the pituitary gland of 48-year-old father-of-two Rhys Hibbert from Bedfordshire was pressing on the optic nerves and narrowing his peripheral vision.
Method of Performing the Surgery
While surgeons inserted an endoscope through the nose to the base of the skull, the artificial intelligence tool analyzed a live video feed on a second screen and tracked surgical instruments.
Training of the AI System
It was reported that the artificial intelligence system was trained by researchers on hundreds of videos of pituitary tumor surgeries and marked risky areas.
Surgical Team and Project Partners
The procedure was performed by neurosurgeons Prof. Hani Marcus and Danyal Khan at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, with support provided for the development and funding of the project.