Improving Cancer Diagnostics in Flexible Endoscopy using Artificial Intelligence and Medical Robotics

Project summary

Project acronym

IDEAR

Main Thematic area

C - Health

C.1 - Developing patient-centred strategies to fight cancer;

Secondary Thematic area

E - ICT

E.3 - Advanced robotics, mechatronics and additive manufacturing technologies (3D printing, bio-printing);

Tertiary Thematic area

Key words

cancer

medical robotics

artificial intelligence

navigated bronchoscopy

hybrid imaging

Principal investigator

Lucian Gheorghe Grunoiu

Project promoter

UNIVERSITATEA DIN CRAIOVA

Funding

RO Research Programme - EEA Grants

Partners

UNIVERSITATEA NAŢIONALĂ DE ŞTIINŢĂ ŞI TEHNOLOGIE POLITEHNICA BUCUREŞTI

DELTA HEALTH CARE SRL

SIEMENS SRL

Norwegian University of Science and Technology

CEETRON AS

Location

Craiova

Period of implementation

2020-09-01 to 2024-04-30

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Project in a nutshell

The projects achieved several significant milestones:

An advanced electromagnetic and optical guidance software was developed for flexible endoscopy diagnosis and surgical treatment. This innovative platform integrates dynamic, automatic, continuous registration with features such as automatic nodule detection, procedure planning, organ and tumor segmentation, continuous CT registration, surgical tool localization and tracing, robotic instrument control, and augmented reality for virtual anatomical visualization during intraoperative procedures.

Three iterations of the smart assisting robotic system ENDORO were created, designed to direct flexible instruments like catheters and flexible tip forceps inside the human body using electromagnetic navigation technology.

A range of flexible instruments were developed, capable of being controlled either manually or via robotic systems. These instruments include steering mechanisms for navigating complex paths and electromagnetic tracking capabilities.

A novel catheter shape detection method was introduced, utilizing Fiber-Bragg grating along a fiber optic embedded in the catheter. This new guidance technique enhances instrument orientation through an advanced artificial intelligence algorithm.

Artificial intelligence algorithms were designed for detecting liver and pancreatic masses during endoscopy and ultrasound-endoscopy, demonstrating excellent performance in tests conducted on a large patient imaging database.

Scientific results

Publications

Conferences

Patents

The project's results continue in advancing medical technology, improving healthcare outcomes, and benefiting a wide range of stakeholders involved in cancer diagnostics and treatment.

The software developed in the project has a role in modernizing medical procedures and its integration into clinical practice; continuous updates and integration into medical protocols ensure ongoing relevance and usage.

AI in diagnostics is a growing field with significant investment; continuous improvement in AI capabilities and the increasing reliance on data-driven diagnostics support long-term use. Adoption of these technologies into national healthcare policies can ensure long-term use and integration.

Deliverables Remain Available Free of Charge: Ensuring that some aspects of the technology or related educational resources are freely accessible can promote widespread use. Example: Open-source AI algorithms or free training modules for medical professionals.

Socio-economic impact

The advanced electromagnetic and optical guidance software including innovative features like dynamic, automatic, continuous registration software for flexible endoscopy and robot control for instrument navigation is an important achievement for medical professionals and patients that will benefit from enhanced diagnostic accuracy, improved procedural planning, and safer, more effective surgical interventions.

The smart assisting robotic system (ENDORO), for directing flexible instruments like catheters and flexible tip forceps inside the human body is important for surgeons and interventional radiologists that gain improved control and precision during procedures, leading to better patient outcomes and reduced procedure times. The flexible instruments with steering capabilities developed during the project, that can be controlled manually or by robotic systems, are important for medical professionals that will benefit from enhanced maneuverability and accuracy during complex procedures, improving the efficacy of treatments for patients. The novel catheter shape detection method using Fiber-Bragg grating combined with an advanced AI-based algorithm, improves the orientation and guidance of medical instruments.

Beneficiaries of this innovative technology are interventional radiologists and other specialists by increased precision and safety, leading to better patient outcomes and reduced risk of complications. AI algorithms for liver and pancreatic mass detection during endoscopy or ultrasound-endoscopy, are important for oncologists and gastroenterologists that benefit from improved diagnostic tools, leading to earlier and more accurate detection of malignant tumors. Patients experience better diagnostic outcomes and potentially earlier interventions. These achievements demonstrate the project's success in advancing medical technology, improving healthcare outcomes, and benefiting a wide range of stakeholders involved in cancer diagnostics and treatment.

Research in the spotlight

Patients that suffer from cancer are often exposed to an increased level of radiation during their treatment. Moreover, the medical system struggle with the high costs for early cancer detection procedures and overall treatment. Prof. Gruionu and his team of researchers are developing an advanced prototype of a medical robotic platform to Improve cancer Diagnostics. IDEAR, as they call it, will perform both diagnostic and treatment during the same procedure using an advanced smart robotic system and customized instruments with dual electromagnetic-optical tracking.

Keep watching "Research In The Spotlight" to discover how the use of AI and Medical Robotics can create accessible and non-invasive endoscopic procedures that will increase the success rate of cancer interventions.

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