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Research ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Robotic help in high-risk twin pregnancies

Researchers at ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich have created a magnetically controllable, flexible fetoscope that can bend up to 173 degrees and provide a panoramic view for navigating blood vessels in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). The system, which uses external electromagnets and a PlayStation controller for manual override, achieved a precision of 140 µm in experiments and successfully performed the key steps of a TTTS procedure in a pregnant ewe. The platform aims to make the complex laser surgery for TTTS safer, more precise, and more accessible to specialists.

Published
16 Sept 2026
2 min read 1 source
Intelligence brief
ETH Zurich, Switzerland / Research
CH

Researchers at ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich have created a magnetically controllable, flexible fetoscope that can bend up to 173 degrees and provide a panoramic view for navigating blood vessels in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). The system, which uses external electromagnets and a PlayStation controller for manual override, achieved a precision of 140 µm in experiments and successfully performed the key steps of a TTTS procedure in a pregnant ewe. The platform aims to make the complex laser surgery for TTTS safer, more precise, and more accessible to specialists.

Why it matters

It showcases Swiss expertise in AI‑driven robotic navigation and precision surgery, reinforcing Switzerland’s leadership in medical AI technologies.

Primary source record
ETH Zurich News

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