A French startup called Robeauté just raised about $29 million to develop a truly groundbreaking neurosurgery micro-robot.
Imagine a device that is no more than a grain of rice that can carefully browse the complex and exquisite pathways of the brain.
This little robot can change the way doctors treat brain tumors and other neurological conditions, making surgery safer and more precise than ever before.
Neurosurgery microorganisms. (Dowauture)
Challenges of Brain Surgery Today
Brain surgery is very complicated. Today, surgeons use tools that are usually rigid and can only move in a straight line. This limits where they can run safely. Many tumors or problematic areas of the brain are too risky because they are close to areas responsible for key functions such as movement or speech.
In some cases, surgeons have no choice but to not treat the tumor because the risk of damage is too high. Most importantly, due to the disorder of the blood-brain barrier, many drugs cannot even reach certain parts of the brain, so patients have limited treatment options.
Neurosurgery microorganisms. (Dowauture)
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How micro-robots work
Robeauté’s miniature robot Aim to overcome these challenges. It is very small, about three millimeters long, about the size of a grain of rice, and enters the brain through a small incision that is only millimeters wide. Unlike traditional tools, the robot does not move in a straight line. Instead, it can follow a curved path and gently push the brain tissue away. It uses a rotating silicone ring at its tip to carefully move the tissue without causing damage. This movement is inspired by the way tiny insects walk on the water and uses adhesion that dominates the scales.
Inside the robot, there is a cubicle that houses microsurgical tools. For example, when performing a biopsy, a micro-robot uses flexible needles and tiny tweezers to collect tissue samples. These samples can be stored inside the device or pulled back by cables connected to the robot. In addition to biopsy, robots can also implant electrodes for diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or deliver drugs directly to tumors. It even has sensors that can send real-time information back to the surgeon to help them monitor the process closely.
What is really impressive is how to plan the road of robots. Using MRI scans combined with artificial intelligence, surgeons can map safe routes to avoid sensitive brain areas. During the surgery, they can adjust the position of the robot in real time using ultrasound imaging mounted on the skull to achieve sub-mm accuracy.
Neurosurgery microorganisms. (Dowauture)
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Looking to the future: Experiment and future plans
So far, micro-robots have been tested in preclinical trials, mainly on sheep, with very promising results. There are no major complications like bleeding, which suggests that the device can safely navigate brain tissue. Robeauté plans to start human clinical trials in 2026, focusing on microorganisms in brain tumors. They also aim to expand into the U.S. market and seek FDA approval, hoping to launch internationally by 2030.
Neurosurgery microorganisms. (Dowauture)
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Why is this technology important
The potential impact of this micro-robot is huge. It can enable doctors to diagnose brain tumors earlier and treat them more effectively while reducing the risks associated with traditional surgery. Because it is minimally invasive, patients can experience faster recovery and fewer side effects. Additionally, the ability to collect real-time data from within the brain can accelerate research and drug development, such as neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
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Kurt’s key points
Robeauté’s miniature robots represent an exciting fusion of robotics, artificial intelligence, biology, and medicine. It solves one of the most difficult challenges in healthcare: how to safely access and treat the brain. While there are still obstacles to overcome, such as regulatory approval and scale manufacturing, such tiny devices have the potential to convert previously “inoperable” brain tumors into treatable conditions. As one of the company’s founders described, the role of micro-robots is like a “brain gardener” that tends to damage tissue from within. With its rich funding and growing patent portfolio, Robeauté is expected to have a lasting impact on the future of neurosurgery.
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