We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Download Mobile App




Robotic Magnetic System for PCI Could Minimize Physicians’ Exposure to X-Ray Radiation

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 10 Jun 2022
Print article
Image: Electromagnetically controllable microrobotic interventional system (Photo courtesy of DGIST)
Image: Electromagnetically controllable microrobotic interventional system (Photo courtesy of DGIST)

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) involves introducing a guidewire through the large femoral artery in the groin or the radial artery in the wrist and expertly manipulating it until it reaches the largest blood vessel in the body, the aorta. A contrast agent is then injected into the aorta, where it spreads into the coronary arteries that feed the heart. X-ray images are then taken to pinpoint any blockages present in these arteries. This intervention requires a huge amount of skill and can still lead to vessel perforation. It also involves unnecessary exposure of the physician to X-ray radiation, as the procedure is conducted at the patient’s bedside. Now, researchers have developed a medical robotic apparatus that uses an external magnetic field to precisely and remotely control guidewires through tiny and tortuous blood vessels. The apparatus could also minimize the exposure of physicians to X-ray radiation while looking for and treating narrowed or blocked blood vessels

The system developed by a multidisciplinary team of robotics and electronic systems engineers working with cardiologists and materials scientists led by researchers at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST, Daegu, Korea) involves remotely controlling a magnetically steerable microrobotic guidewire by applying a controllable external magnetic field. The field is generated by an ‘electromagnetic actuation system’ made of eight electromagnets arranged in a hemispherical configuration under a surgical bed. The patient is meant to be placed on the bed, with the guidewire inserted into an artery and guided remotely by changing the magnetic field. The guidewire is made of a biocompatible silicone tube that can move through blood vessels with very little surface friction. The tip of the microrobotic tube encapsulates a neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet and hard-magnetic composites for magnetic steering.

The researchers first tested the system using 2D- and 3D-printed blood vessel models. They then tested it in anaesthetized pigs, managing to remotely control the guidewires through small and tortuous arteries in the pelvis, kidneys and heart. More tests and improvements are still required, but the researchers are already planning to further modify their apparatus so it can also target vessels in the nervous system and lungs.

“Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, and it is very important to be able to diagnose and treat these diseases in the most minimally invasive way possible,” said DGIST robotics engineer Hongsoo Choi. “Our proposed electromagnetically controllable microrobotic interventional system (ECMIS) could reduce radiation exposure of physicians by empowering them to conduct the procedure remotely in an X-ray shielded control booth using low-strength magnetic fields. It also does not require the high level of training needed for conducting conventional PCIs.”

Related Links:
DGIST

Gold Supplier
Ultrasound System
FUTUS LE
New
Gold Supplier
Electrode Solution and Skin Prep
Signaspray
New
Bladder Scanner
PBSV3.2
New
X-Ray Meter
Cobia SENSE

Print article
Radcal

Channels

Radiography

view channel
Image: Intelligent NR provides high-quality diagnostic images containing significantly less grainy noise (Photo courtesy of Canon)

AI-Driven DR System Produces Higher Quality Images While Limiting Radiation Doses in Pediatric Patients

Ionizing radiation is a fundamental element in producing diagnostic X-rays, yet it's widely acknowledged for its cancer risk potential. Digital projection radiography, a vital imaging modality, accounts... Read more

MRI

view channel
Image: The researchers are using MRI-guided radiation therapy that pairs daily MRIs with radiation treatment (Photo courtesy of Sylvester)

AI Technique Automatically Traces Tumors in Large MRI Datasets to Guide Real-time Glioblastoma Treatment

Treating glioblastoma, a prevalent and aggressive brain cancer, involves the use of radiation therapy guided by CT imaging. While this method is effective in targeting radiation, it doesn't provide real-time... Read more

Ultrasound

view channel
Image: The new ultrasound patch can measure how full the bladder is (Photo courtesy of MIT)

Ultrasound Patch Designed to Monitor Bladder and Kidney Health Could Enable Earlier Cancer Diagnosis

Bladder dysfunction and related health issues affect millions worldwide. Monitoring bladder volume is crucial for assessing kidney health. Traditionally, this requires a visit to a medical facility and... Read more

Nuclear Medicine

view channel
Image: A novel PET radiotracer facilitates early, noninvasive detection of IBD (Photo courtesy of Karmanos)

New PET Radiotracer Aids Early, Noninvasive Detection of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is an inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract affecting roughly seven million individuals globally.... Read more

General/Advanced Imaging

view channel
Image: Artificial intelligence predicts therapy responses for ovarian cancer (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

AI Model Combines Blood Test and CT Scan Analysis to Predict Therapy Responses in Ovarian Cancer Patients

Ovarian cancer annually impacts thousands of women, with many diagnoses occurring at advanced stages due to subtle early symptoms. High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, which accounts for 70-80% of ovarian... Read more

Imaging IT

view channel
Image: The new Medical Imaging Suite makes healthcare imaging data more accessible, interoperable and useful (Photo courtesy of Google Cloud)

New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible

Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more

Industry News

view channel
Image: Attendees can discover innovative products and technology in the RSNA 2023 Technical Exhibits (Photo courtesy of RSNA)

RSNA 2023 Technical Exhibits to Offer Innovations in AI, 3D Printing and More

The 109th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA, Oak Brook, IL, USA) to be held in Chicago, Nov. 26 to 30 is all set to offer a vast array of medical... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.