Surgeons in London have completed the world’s first brain operation guided by artificial intelligence in real time. The patient, Rhys Hibbert, 48, from Bedfordshire, had an 11 mm non-cancerous tumour on his pituitary gland that threatened his sight. Without surgery he risked going blind. The procedure took place in May at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, part of University College London Hospitals. During the operation the AI analysed the live camera feed and highlighted critical nerves and blood vessels that surgeons needed to avoid. The team remained fully in control while the system colour-coded the tiny structures. The tumour was removed successfully and Hibbert’s vision improved. The technology was developed at UCL and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. A larger trial is now planned.
Surgeons in London have completed the world’s first brain operation guided by artificial intelligence in real time. The patient, Rhys Hibbert, 48, from Bedfordshire, had an 11 mm non-cancerous tumour on his pituitary gland that threatened his sight. Without surgery he risked going blind. The procedure took place in May at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, part of University College London Hospitals. During the operation the AI analysed the live camera feed and highlighted critical nerves and blood vessels that surgeons needed to avoid. The team remained fully in control while the system colour-coded the tiny structures. The tumour was removed successfully and Hibbert’s vision improved. The technology was developed at UCL and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. A larger trial is now planned.