The healthcare industry is facing a significant challenge as the demand for qualified medical practitioners and surgeons is projected to double in the next decade. This pressure is exacerbated by the retirement of seasoned professionals and the aging population, which is translating to increased stress for both doctors and their patients. In response to this pressing issue, an innovative research effort by a computer scientist from the University of Utah is exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can help relieve some of this strain through enhanced needle deployment within the body.
The use of AI is revolutionizing traditional surgical methods, which have relied on imaging technologies like computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. According to Alan Kuntz, an assistant professor in the Kahlert School of Computing at the University of Utah and a member of the U’s Robotics Center, AI is not designed to replicate an entire surgical operation autonomously. Instead, it adds targeted improvements to specific areas within the surgical workflow to enhance precision.
“Where are the places in a typical needle-based intervention where these tools are appropriate?” Kuntz posited, highlighting that research aims to discover practical applications for AI in surgery. Kuntz is one of the co-authors of a comprehensive review featured in the recent issue of Science Robotics, which calls attention to how AI can facilitate needle deployment during medical procedures.
His lab is currently working on developing advanced autonomous tools that can augment surgeons’ abilities without removing them from their critical roles in the operating room. This technological progress could help mitigate burnout and stress faced by medical professionals, especially as some autonomous systems are found to outperform their human counterparts in certain scenarios. “What we’re trying to do is reduce the per-patient workload of surgeons and interventionalists,” Kuntz said, emphasizing how AI can expand access to healthcare.
The research team, which includes Ron Alterovitz from the University of North Carolina and Janine Hoelscher from Clemson University, has established a four-part AI-guidance framework for deploying needles, one of the most ubiquitous tools in medical procedures, ranging from targeted drug delivery to biopsy extraction. Future advancements leveraging AI and robotics could enable safer and more effective medical procedures.
Alterovitz stated, “Breakthroughs in AI and robotics will continue to enable increasing degrees of AI guidance and robotic automation for medical procedures,” reinforcing the importance of this innovative technology in modern healthcare.
The framework comprises four essential components: perceiving anatomy, planning motions, perceiving instrument state, and performing motions. Each of these components can be applied according to a spectrum of autonomy, from basic support to complete independence.
When discussing the first component, Kuntz elaborated that perceiving anatomy involves using medical or camera imaging to automatically discern anatomical structures both geometrically and semantically.
The framework emphasizes areas in which AI-supported tools can enhance needle deployment while identifying situations that still necessitate human intervention. Applications for this technology include image segmentation, CT-based target identification, manually drawn insertion paths, and planners that guide steerable needles along safe trajectories that avoid obstacles. This research also assesses performance benefits and risks, empowering engineers to construct safety measures within each workflow.
Kuntz cautions against a simplistic view of robotics in this context. “AI in needle-based interventions is much more nuanced than ‘give a robot a needle and let it do whatever,’” he explained. He noted that a thoughtful approach allows for incremental integration of AI technology without undermining critical human oversight.
Researchers in Kuntz’s lab are also seeking ways to make surgical instruments less invasive while complying with safety standards. Their investigation, while primarily focused on surgical needles, has broadened to encompass other areas, including laparoscopic surgery.
The new AI-enhanced tools prioritize precise image processing and guidance, resulting in instruments that can function with higher autonomy and effectiveness. These innovations can be integrated into robotic platforms, which can operate independently or under the control of surgeons using a console, always directed by an endoscopic camera.
For instance, Kuntz illustrated how their device operates: “The device enters through a port in the body and is designed so that it doesn’t move its insertion point. It rotates around that point and has a small wrist inside the body to improve dexterity while manipulating tissue.” This technology is designed to be less invasive and more efficient for surgeons while providing the capability to steer the tools around delicate areas within the patient’s anatomy.
The implications of this research are far-reaching, as it aims to address several challenges facing the healthcare system, including workforce shortages, practitioner burnout, and enhancing patient safety. The combination of AI and human oversight ensures that these advanced tools can be responsibly employed across a range of medical procedures.
The study titled “Medical needles in the hands of AI: Advancing toward autonomous robotic navigation” was published on July 9 in Science Robotics. Funding for this innovative research was provided by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. The content presented here reflects the authors’ opinions and does not necessarily represent the views of the funding organizations.
image source from：attheu
