# MRI-compatible concentric tube robot for intracerebral hemorrhage

> **NIH NIH R01** · CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2021 · $655,333

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
 The objective of this proposal is to create and validate a minimally-invasive Magnetic Resonance (MR) -
compatible concentric tube robot for Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) evacuation. About 1 in 50 people suffer
from ICH in their lifetime. ICH occurs when blood leaked from a ruptured vessel accumulates and forms a
blood clot (hematoma) in the cerebrum. The 30-day mortality for ICH is about 40% with half of all deaths
occurring in the acute phase, especially in the first 48 hours. Blood spilled outside of the intracranial vessels is
toxic to surrounding neurons, causing inflammation and perihematomal edema seen as early as 12-24 hours
after hemorrhage. These deleterious effects motivate emergent treatment to save at-risk brain tissue. We
propose three specific aims as follows.
 Specific Aim 1: Create the Robot. We will optimize the current robot prototype design to construct a new,
compact, and precise MRI-compatible robot to deploy the aspiration cannula within the MRI scanner. We will
develop the robot path planning algorithm and embedded electronics to enable accurate robot control.
 Specific Aim 2: Enable Image Guidance. We will track the aspiration cannula in MRI space by integrating
wireless MRI microcoils on the cannula. Real-time MRI will allow the surgeon to monitor the cannula position
and hematoma-brain boundary during the procedure. We will create a navigation workstation to control the
robot, enable treatment monitoring including diffusion tensor imaging, and provide a virtual boundary to
enhance safety.
 Specific Aim 3: Experimental Validation. We will first characterize robot targeting accuracy and its path-
following ability in the benchtop environment. We will then perform phantom studies in a 3T MRI scanner to
evaluate system accuracy and optimize the navigation workstation. We will conclude with four sheep studies to
evaluate the system with realistic tissue properties, perfusion, and other relevant biological effects. We will
collect robot accuracy data, quantify hematoma evacuation percentage, and determine damage to healthy
brain tissue.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10120482
- **Project number:** 1R01NS116148-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Yue Chen
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $655,333
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-12-15 → 2024-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10120482

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10120482, MRI-compatible concentric tube robot for intracerebral hemorrhage (1R01NS116148-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10120482. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*