MODULE M²OLIE INTERVENTIONAL PLATFORM
The Intervention Platform module focuses on the development of technical systems for the holistic and efficient control of processes in the intervention room. As soon as a diagnostic or therapeutic intervention becomes necessary within the M²OLIE closed-loop process, the Intervention Platform takes over control and monitoring of the procedure at the room level and transfers control back to the Operational Platform once the procedure is complete. To this end, the platform features interfaces for directly integrating the procedures into the overall M²OLIE process.
A central task of the module is to implement a system platform that fully networks and functionally integrates diagnostic and therapeutic systems as well as systems for coordinating organizational workflows in the interventional suite. The concept incorporates both hardware and software components, as well as a unified semantic framework for coordinating workflows based on various data sources.
The goal for the final funding phase is to develop and evaluate a fully networked interventional platform and to integrate the platform into a novel MRI interventional suite. The evaluation will take place both locally and within the context of the overall M²OLIE process, with a focus on increasing efficiency and precision through digitization and automation.
The project tasks are divided among several subprojects, each of which focuses on a solution for a specific process within the intervention space. The intervention platform connects the participating systems via standardized interfaces with the goal of creating more precise and efficient workflows through the resulting opportunities for interaction.
The intervention platform is integrated into the closed-loop process for biopsies and therapeutic interventions. The partners in this project are AMERIA, BEC ROBOTICS, Fraunhofer IPA, Getinge, GMV, KUKA, medicalvalues, Siemens Healthineers, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Bonn University Hospital, Mannheim University Hospital, Heidelberg University, and Zeiss.
M²OLIE INTERVENTION PLATFORM: SUBPROJECT
Subproject “Closed-Loop Navigation Platform” – Heidelberg University
The Closed-Loop Navigation Platform subproject focuses on the development of a room-based assistance system for managing the workflows and resources of various image-guided interventions. This software is designed to model various procedures at the technical level. As soon as a specific procedure is requested, the navigation platform can verify whether the necessary devices and instruments are present in the room and ready for use. During the procedure, the navigation platform monitors all devices in use and precisely tracks the location of the instruments. This ensures, for example, that during a needle biopsy, the preplanned path of the needle insertion is followed exactly.
The platform will be designed so that new medical applications can be easily integrated. To this end, a base module will be developed that includes core user interface functions and various methods for path planning and process monitoring, upon which the various clinical applications can be built. For the first time, process control and monitoring will be enabled through direct feedback from MRI data. The platform is also intended to be flexible enough for use with various modalities (CT, MRI, CBCT, ultrasound, microscopy) in intervention rooms with different configurations. For the evaluation, automated biopsy and thermal ablation have been selected as the initial applications. In addition, the system will be tested as an alternative to MRI in conjunction with the INTRO-CT system on a CT scanner.
The collaborating partners in this subproject are the Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Mannheim University Hospital, and Heidelberg University.
Subproject “MRI Robot Platform” – Heidelberg University
Thanks to their excellent rendering of soft tissue contrast and the ability to visualize procedures in real time, MRI interventions offer significant advantages in many fields. However, the strong magnetic field inside the MRI scanner imposes complex technical requirements on the instruments used. Therefore, highly specialized technical assistance systems are required to perform these procedures, systems that are not yet available on the market. This subproject focuses on developing a compact robotic assistance system designed to support needle-guided procedures within the MRI scanner. To achieve this, the devices involved are integrated in such a way as to enable joint control of the robot and the imaging system.
The project’s goal is the semi-automated performance of a needle-guided intervention within an MRI scanner. To achieve this, the project is developing an MRI-compatible robotic manipulator, as well as methods for the automatic detection of structures in MRI images, automatic tracking of MRI imaging, and a unified control concept for the MRI scanner and the robotic system.
The collaboration partners in this subproject are Mannheim University Hospital and Heidelberg University.
Subproject “Optical Monitoring System for Process Control, Monitoring, and Documentation” – Mannheim University of Applied Sciences:
Coming soon…
Subproject “Robot-Guided, Adaptive Seed Implantation Outside the Prostate” – Heidelberg University
This subproject focuses on application development using the “guidoos” system from the second funding phase of M²OLIE. The research explores an adaptive approach to percutaneous seed implantation. Seed brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy in which rice-grain-sized radiation sources (“seeds”) are implanted into tumors. By positioning the sources within the tumor tissue and utilizing a steeply declining dose distribution, it is possible to treat the target volume with high doses while sparing the surrounding organs. Even small deviations in seed positioning can have a significant impact on dose distribution. guidoo supports this process by ensuring efficient and precise placement of the implantation needles. In the adaptive approach, any remaining deviations are identified during the course of implantation and compensated for by adjusting the remainder of the treatment plan. The collaborating partners in this subproject are BEC, Fraunhofer IPA, Mannheim University Hospital, and Heidelberg University.
Subproject “Kypho IORT—Patient-Specific Tailoring of Kypho-IORT Radiation Therapy”
This subproject focuses on methods for patient-specific tailoring in intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), such as Kypho-IORT. In IORT, X-rays are administered during surgery immediately after tumor removal or with direct access to the tumor to destroy (remaining) tumor cells. This project investigates methods for tracking the Intrabeam X-ray source. In the next step, the uncertainties arising from the tracking process are simulated using the Radiance radiation planning software, and their effects are evaluated. The applicability and clinical translation of the technique are tested using phantoms. The collaboration partners for this subproject are Zeiss, GMV, Fraunhofer IPA, Mannheim University Hospital, and Heidelberg University.
