Team

Antonia Tzemanaki
Amit Bahl
Raj Persad
Chris Melhuish

Precision in Cancer Care

The Future of Radiotherapy Preparation

RoboSpacer is a research project participating in the Innovate UK ICURe Discover programme. Our team is exploring the potential for an autonomous robotic solution to improve the accuracy of biodegradable spacer placement in prostate cancer radiotherapy. Through market exploration and customer discovery, we are assessing how this technology could enhance patient outcomes and clinical efficiency in the future.

Watch our video to learn more about our project. We welcome any feedback via the anonymous form to the right of the video.

The Problem: Challenges in Spacer Placement

Patients with prostate cancer receiving radiotherapy can benefit from a biodegradable spacer shielding the rectum from harmful radiation exposure. However, current manual placement methods can lead to:

  • Spacer migration into the rectum, delaying treatment for up to 6 months.

  • Complications such as rectal perforation, requiring additional medical intervention.

  • Increased need for hormone therapy, impacting the patient’s quality of life.

Our Research: Exploring a Robotic Solution

We are investigating the feasibility an autonomous robotic system designed to eliminate human error in spacer placement. Using image processing and advanced control systems, it aims to:

  • Ensure optimal spacer placement for maximum protection

  • Minimise complications and infections due to human error

  • Prevent treatment delays, for timely and effective cancer therapy

Potential Benefits

✅ Precision Placement – Reducing the risk of spacer migration or perforation.

✅ Improved Patient Outcomes – Minimising treatment delays and complications.

✅ Enhanced Safety – Exploring automation to lower the risk of human error and infections.

✅ Increased Efficiency – Reducing hospital administrative burden and resources needed for corrective procedures.

✅ Better Quality of Life – Avoiding unnecessary hormone therapy and additional interventions.

FAQs

  • RoboSpacer is a research project at the University of Bristol, investigating the potential of robotics for accurate and safe biodegradable spacer placement in prostate cancer treatment.

  • No, RoboSpacer is still in the research phase. We are conducting market exploration and customer discovery through the Innovate UK ICURe Discover programme to assess its future potential.

  • By ensuring accurate spacer placement, this approach could help reduce treatment delays, complications, and unnecessary medical interventions.

  • If successful, a robotic solution could improve efficiency by reducing errors, complications, and administrative burdens in radiotherapy preparation.

Join Us on Our Research Journey

RoboSpacer is currently in the market exploration and customer discovery phase. We are engaging with clinicians, researchers, and healthcare providers to understand the real-world needs and feasibility of this technology.