New Robotic Imaging Technology Developed to Improve Cancer Care

John Angle, associate professor of radiology, chief, division of angiography, University of Virginia Health System (Charlottesville, VA, USA) was presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's (SIR) annual scientific meeting held in March 2008 in Washington, DC, USA. The study was performed using the Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany) Artis zeego, a multi-axis C-arm that employs robotic technology to enable large-volume syngo DynaCT (computed tomography) acquisition for liver chemoembolization.

According to Dr. Angle, the combination of the Artis zeego and large-volume syngo DynaCT enables the physician to see the whole abdomen or the entire liver for chemoembolization and biopsies, and provides reliable post-TACE (tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme) assessment of lipidol uptake.

The Artis zeego, which recently received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance, provides versatility, enhanced image quality, and streamlined workflow across an array of clinical environments, from body and neurointerventional radiology suites to operating rooms and hybrid rooms.

The Artis zeego makes it possible for the position of the isocenter to be adjusted according to the procedural needs or the height of the physician, which is especially helpful during lengthy procedures while wearing a heavy lead-shielded apron. The adjustable isocenter also enables off-center rotational angiography for all areas of the body and supports advanced three-dimensional (3D) imaging techniques, including cross-sectional imaging through Siemens' first-to-market syngo DynaCT.

The entire Artis zee family of systems features an enhanced imaging chain--spanning image acquisition to image processing and documentation--that provides sharply detailed images required for interventional procedures, enhances clarity in 2D imaging, and enables an array of 3D imaging applications to help enhance clinical decision-making.

New and enhanced 3D imaging applications included with the Artis zee systems include: 1) the syngo iPilot, which enables faster, more precise catheter navigation through 3D roadmapping that superimposes 3D reconstructions onto live 2D fluoroscopy images, 2D roadmaps or digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The application provides real-time updates of C-arm and table movements, as well as zoom and source-to-image distance (SID) changes. 2) The syngo iGuide, which is designed to bring needle procedures back into the interventional suite, enables enhanced comfort for the physician and frees up the CT scanner from this lengthy procedure. With the excellent fluoroscopy image quality of the Artis zee systems, these procedures can be executed faster and with greater confidence.

The Artis zee systems are designed to streamline workflows and create efficiencies to help keep pace with increased interventional volume. Intuitive, menu-driven workflows streamline such procedures as obtaining soft tissue results for both frequent and infrequent users. The configurations of the Artis zee family also enable all system movements to be easily controlled with one ergonomic tableside device.

Utilizing advanced robotics, the system supports additional degrees of freedom beyond those of traditional C-arm technology. Specifically, the rotation center of the positioner can be placed anywhere in a sphere around the patient. The Artis zeego enables physicians to perform complex scanning movements such as tilted table scans in the peripherals. This type of scanning has not been possible with traditional C-arm design.

The systems are available in floor-mounted, ceiling-mounted, multipurpose, biplane, and biplane twin configurations, as well as the multi-axis Artis zeego.


Related Links:
University of Virginia Health System
Siemens Healthcare