Automating Catheterization Labs with Real-Time Perception
This addresses workflow inefficiencies for interventional radiologists and surgeons in catheterization labs, representing an incremental improvement through automation of existing processes.
The authors tackled the cumbersome and time-consuming workflow of 3D C-arm CBCT imaging in catheterization labs by proposing AutoCBCT, a real-time visual perception system that automates positioning and navigation, which demonstrated significantly improved efficiency in lab and clinical settings.
For decades, three-dimensional C-arm Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) imaging system has been a critical component for complex vascular and nonvascular interventional procedures. While it can significantly improve multiplanar soft tissue imaging and provide pre-treatment target lesion roadmapping and guidance, the traditional workflow can be cumbersome and time-consuming, especially for less experienced users. To streamline this process and enhance procedural efficiency overall, we proposed a visual perception system, namely AutoCBCT, seamlessly integrated with an angiography suite. This system dynamically models both the patient's body and the surgical environment in real-time. AutoCBCT enables a novel workflow with automated positioning, navigation and simulated test-runs, eliminating the need for manual operations and interactions. The proposed system has been successfully deployed and studied in both lab and clinical settings, demonstrating significantly improved workflow efficiency.