MR Technology

Imaging Robotics

Development of an integrated robotic system for the application in focused ultrasound interventions

Modular control software for robotic arms (KUKA LBR iiwa/Med) in image-guided interventions, connected via IEEE 11073 SDC; winner of the Best Design Award at the Hamlyn Symposium on Medical Robotics 2023.

Illustration: MRI scanner with patient table and monitor
Team
MR Technology

The robotics group at ICCAS aims for the integration of robotic systems into the clinical workflow of image-guided interventions. The main goal is the development of a robotic control software that provides enough modularity for medical robots to serve in multiple use cases and, thereby, improve acceptance in the clinic. Utilizing the KUKA LBR iiwa 7 R800 and Med robotic arms and their collaborative concepts (direct user interaction during automated movement) shall further reduce the complexity of handling the robots during surgical workflows.

Using the IEEE 11073 SDC standard for medical device connectivity, the ICCAS researchers implemented a first demonstrator with two robot arms. A feasibility study for ultrasound-guided biopsies was published in the journal “Frontiers in Robotics and AI” in 2022, and the system won the Best-Design-Award at the Hamlyn Symposium on Medical Robotics in London in 2023.

More projects of the team

  • 3MP-FUS Multimodality Multi-purpose Multi-platform Focused Ultrasound – Neuromodulation in rare neuropsychiatric disorders with focused ultrasound

    Multi-purpose, multi-parameter, multi-platform FUS system for transcranial neuromodulation in rare neuropsychiatric disorders. In 2025 the neuro-navigated system was integrated with Localite into the 1.5 T MRI (automatic slice orientation along the acoustic lobe) and transferred to the 3.0 T MRI at MPI CBS, where a neuromodulation pilot on volunteers is being prepared.

  • MRgFUS Non-invasive Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound in the treatment of uterine fibroids

    Non-invasive treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids with MR-guided focused ultrasound – with real-time temperature mapping and a very low complication rate.

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