Scale image photo

Robot working in microenvironment

Microscope image photo

In areas including engineering, medical care and biology, microscopic operation is required for manipulation of micro objects that is beyond the limits of human ability. The micro-manipulator was developed by combining the technologies of observation and manipulation within a microscopic environment.

The omnifocal camera capable of focusing on any point in an image and a micro hand system that was developed by emulating the movement of chopsticks realized an operation with precision of "submicron order". The system contributes to the research in the fields of most advanced technologies, including engineering, medical care, biology, etc. The merits of the technology are expected to be most exploited in gene manipulation of cells in the field of biotechnology especially for gene function identification. It is also useful in the medical field.

Micro hand

Safe, Precise and Minimal Intervention in Surgery
World's first MR-compatible surgical robot

Surgical robot, one of the dreams of the 21st century, has been developed, aiming at the realization of minimally invasive surgery. The robot is to access the target under the image guidance for safe, accurate and minimal intervention.

Since 1998, AIST has been developing an image-guidance system comprising of the MR-compatible robots and endoscopes and so on, in cooperation with Harvard Medical School in the U.S., Tokyo Women's Medical University and other institutions.


Open MRI MRI has been used for diagnosis. This is an open MRI system which provides visual support to surgeons.	Robot Assistant for Open MRI This robot incorporates a nonmagnetic mechanism of five-degree-of-freedom and is used with axisymmetric surgical devices such as a needle and a laser pointers. The main body of the system is installed overhead so that it does not interfere with the surgeons.