Monteris Medical, a company that specializes in laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) for use in the brain, and Symphony Robotics, a pioneer in AI-powered micro-robotics, have announced a strategic partnership to evolve surgical precision with the use of advanced robotics for brain ablation surgery and expand the capabilities of MRI-guided neurosurgical procedures.
Born out of intellectual property from Case Western Reserve University, Symphony Robotics has developed a micro-robotic arm designed to operate within the MRI bore without an engine. The flexible system navigates complex brain structures through a five-millimeter opening, enabling non-linear laser probe trajectories and real-time MRI-guided motion planning.
Powered by proprietary AI and computer vision, Symphony’s technology is anticipated to bring next-level precision to laser ablation procedures, especially for multiple or irregularly shaped lesions, such as those in neurofibromatosis and glioblastoma (GBM), as well as in complex anatomical targets associated with epilepsy.
“LITT has become a powerful tool in treating brain tumors, and Symphony Robotics’ technology introduces a level of control and flexibility that could significantly improve outcomes,” said Dr. Ricardo J. Komotar, surgical director of the University of Miami Brain Tumor Institute in Miami. “Its robotic arm can maneuver within the brain in ways rigid tools are more limited – enhancing ablation coverage, biopsy accuracy and even drug delivery. This innovation could deliver a true evolution in robotics for LITT that benefits patients with the most challenging brain tumors.”
The partnership intends to integrate Monteris' laser energy delivery system with Symphony's advanced micro-robotic guidance, enabling an even greater degree of precision in anatomically challenging regions.
Symphony’s technology complements Monteris’ trajectory-based approach by enabling curved pathways for laser heat delivery and dynamic probe control. These capabilities may provide physicians with added flexibility in specific clinical scenarios, expanding on the strong outcomes already demonstrated by NeuroBlate technology—known for optimizing patient results, including overall survival and seizure freedom.
Monteris Medical's minimally invasive NeuroBlate® System, the only LITT platform with robotic control, is widely adopted and used in leading neurosurgical centers across North America.
With many thousands of procedures performed, published multi-center prospective outcomes and strong clinical validation from major professional medical organizations including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), the American Association for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ASSFN) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN), Monteris has led the field of laser ablation for the brain to establish the technology as a standard option for brain tumors and drug-resistant epilepsy.
Symphony’s future product focus includes stereotactic biopsy, tumor mapping, targeted drug delivery and electrode placement for deep brain stimulation (DBS)—all enabled by its advanced maneuverability and AI-powered micro-robotics. Symphony Robotics devices have not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not available for commercial sale or clinical use.
NeuroBlate offers a minimally invasive alternative to craniotomy, with proven benefits including reduced pain, low risk of infection, minimal blood loss and fast recovery. Most patients experience a short hospitalization and reduced complications, particularly when compared to open resective surgery.
