Autonomous Robotics for Transcatheter Cardiac Procedures

Cardiovascular diseases represent the most common cause of death worldwide. Percutaneous approaches with intravascular catheters are pivotal, since they allow to treat patients with high perioperative risks. However, catheter-based treatments require steep learning curves and are characterized by poor ergonomics and exposure to damaging radiation. ARTERY will offer a radiation-free approach based on shared-autonomy robotic catheters, with increased user engagement and easy interaction. Intraprocedural three-dimensional echocardiography as well as computed tomography images obtained during usual clinical practice will provide artificial intelligence algorithms that will turn catheter navigation to a simple task. Optical and electromagnetic sensing techniques will ensure a superior view upon the cardiovascular anatomy and will guide the autonomous catheter upon the interventionist supervision, who will be able to take over control at any instant.