Image-guided intrauterine minimally invasive fetal diagnosis and therapy

We will build a novel platform to transform the safety and efficacy of fetal surgery. Our vision is to develop new instrumentation and software that will provide unprecedented capabilities for operating in utero, including real-time visualisation of tissues at macroscopic and microscopic spatial scales with molecular contrast together with precise control over placement of medical devices within the surgical field. Advances in prenatal treatment of congenital malformations will have a major impact on clinical practice, potentially targeting a third of all paediatric hospital admissions and up to 50% of the total cost of paediatric hospital treatment. We will develop a surgical system that supports different instruments to operate in synergy with the surgeon facilitating safe and reliable surgical procedures with enhanced repeatability of outcomes. Intelligent processing of optical and ultrasound imaging will drive mechatronic control strategies and improve user training and skill development. Mechatronic research will focus on motion compensation combined with advanced instruments for detailed manipulation. Early and continuing consideration of the ethical aspects of the novel technological capability will be built into the project through advice from a bioethicist and public engagement, maximising the potential for translation of the platform into the clinic during the project and after.