Concept, Design, and Preclinical Testing of a Remote-Control Robotic System for Transesophageal Echocardiography

Background: Interventional echocardiography (IE) plays a critical role in guiding structural heart interventions. IE specialists face challenges including high radiation exposure and unfavorable ergonomics. To address these issues, a novel remote-control robotic (RCR) system for transesophageal echo...

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Main Authors: Jury Schewel, MD, PhD, Ryan D. Madder, MD, Dimitry Schewel, MD, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-11-01
Series:Structural Heart
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2474870624001076
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author Jury Schewel, MD, PhD
Ryan D. Madder, MD
Dimitry Schewel, MD, PhD
author_facet Jury Schewel, MD, PhD
Ryan D. Madder, MD
Dimitry Schewel, MD, PhD
author_sort Jury Schewel, MD, PhD
collection DOAJ
description Background: Interventional echocardiography (IE) plays a critical role in guiding structural heart interventions. IE specialists face challenges including high radiation exposure and unfavorable ergonomics. To address these issues, a novel remote-control robotic (RCR) system for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) control has been developed. This study aims to describe the novel RCR system and to assess its performance in bench tests and in vitro models in terms of functionality, image quality, and reproducibility. Methods: Bench testing and in vitro testing were performed using the RCR system. All tests were performed using the GE 6VT-D TEE probe and the GE Vivid E95. Results: Key findings include proof of concept through bench testing, remote control of all five degrees of freedom of the TEE probe, and reliable, fast, and accurate reproducibility using automated navigation. The ROB’E Base is securely attached to the operating table, optimizing the footprint in the operating room. The ROB’E Guide accurately performs the forward and backward motion of the flexible portion of the TEE probe, stabilizing the achieved positions and preventing twisting during rotation. The ROB'E RCR system can store and reproduce TEE probe positions and has demonstrated reliable and accurate automated reproducibility in both bench and in vitro tests. Conclusions: The ROB'E RCR system for TEE overcomes the limitations of conventional IE by using a RCR approach that eliminates the need for the echocardiographer to be physically present in the operating room. Thus, it significantly reduces radiation exposure and demonstrates its capabilities to improve image quality, reproducibility, and overall safety in IE.
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spelling doaj-art-50ec7276195f4acdb56129551ac33f942024-11-28T04:34:50ZengElsevierStructural Heart2474-87062024-11-0186100352Concept, Design, and Preclinical Testing of a Remote-Control Robotic System for Transesophageal EchocardiographyJury Schewel, MD, PhD0Ryan D. Madder, MD1Dimitry Schewel, MD, PhD2Marienkrankenhaus Hamburg gGmbH, Department for Cardiology, Angiology, and Intensive Care, Hamburg, Germany; ROB’E GmbH, Hamburg, Germany; Address correspondence to: Jury Schewel, MD, PhD, Department for Cardiology, Angiology, and Intensive Care, Marienkrankenhaus Hamburg gGmbH, 22087 Hamburg.Frederik Meijer Heart & Vascular Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USAMarienkrankenhaus Hamburg gGmbH, Department for Cardiology, Angiology, and Intensive Care, Hamburg, Germany; ROB’E GmbH, Hamburg, GermanyBackground: Interventional echocardiography (IE) plays a critical role in guiding structural heart interventions. IE specialists face challenges including high radiation exposure and unfavorable ergonomics. To address these issues, a novel remote-control robotic (RCR) system for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) control has been developed. This study aims to describe the novel RCR system and to assess its performance in bench tests and in vitro models in terms of functionality, image quality, and reproducibility. Methods: Bench testing and in vitro testing were performed using the RCR system. All tests were performed using the GE 6VT-D TEE probe and the GE Vivid E95. Results: Key findings include proof of concept through bench testing, remote control of all five degrees of freedom of the TEE probe, and reliable, fast, and accurate reproducibility using automated navigation. The ROB’E Base is securely attached to the operating table, optimizing the footprint in the operating room. The ROB’E Guide accurately performs the forward and backward motion of the flexible portion of the TEE probe, stabilizing the achieved positions and preventing twisting during rotation. The ROB'E RCR system can store and reproduce TEE probe positions and has demonstrated reliable and accurate automated reproducibility in both bench and in vitro tests. Conclusions: The ROB'E RCR system for TEE overcomes the limitations of conventional IE by using a RCR approach that eliminates the need for the echocardiographer to be physically present in the operating room. Thus, it significantly reduces radiation exposure and demonstrates its capabilities to improve image quality, reproducibility, and overall safety in IE.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2474870624001076Artificial intelligenceAutomationDiagnosticsEchocardiographyEchocardiographic guidanceGuiding
spellingShingle Jury Schewel, MD, PhD
Ryan D. Madder, MD
Dimitry Schewel, MD, PhD
Concept, Design, and Preclinical Testing of a Remote-Control Robotic System for Transesophageal Echocardiography
Structural Heart
Artificial intelligence
Automation
Diagnostics
Echocardiography
Echocardiographic guidance
Guiding
title Concept, Design, and Preclinical Testing of a Remote-Control Robotic System for Transesophageal Echocardiography
title_full Concept, Design, and Preclinical Testing of a Remote-Control Robotic System for Transesophageal Echocardiography
title_fullStr Concept, Design, and Preclinical Testing of a Remote-Control Robotic System for Transesophageal Echocardiography
title_full_unstemmed Concept, Design, and Preclinical Testing of a Remote-Control Robotic System for Transesophageal Echocardiography
title_short Concept, Design, and Preclinical Testing of a Remote-Control Robotic System for Transesophageal Echocardiography
title_sort concept design and preclinical testing of a remote control robotic system for transesophageal echocardiography
topic Artificial intelligence
Automation
Diagnostics
Echocardiography
Echocardiographic guidance
Guiding
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2474870624001076
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