By Lin Liuhan, Liang Feng

Songjiang-based Shanghai Simple-Touch Technology Co, Ltd., developer of surgical devices and provider of medical supplies, recently assisted Su Bei People’s Hospital in Jiangsu Province with China’s first PET-CT guided robotic percutaneous lung biopsy. This groundbreaking procedure allowed for precise biopsy needle placement and accurate tissue extraction from a lung lesion, presenting a new method for diagnosing and treating lung diseases.

The 59-year-old male patient, who had previously received targeted therapy for thyroid cancer, was found to have a lesion in the lower lobe of his left lung. Based on his medical history, Dr. Lu Xia and the team at Su Bei People’s Hospital opted for a PET-CT guided percutaneous lung biopsy, utilizing the RC120 robotic system for accurate needle navigation.

PET-CT is an advanced imaging technique that highlights areas of increased glucose metabolism, a hallmark of cancerous tissues. The patient was injected with 18F-FDG, a glucose analog, to visualize these abnormal areas.

The medical team identified the target lesion in the patient's PET-CT scan, focusing on regions with high glucose uptake. CT images were uploaded into the RC120 navigation system developed by Ruichu Technology, which meticulously planned the optimal biopsy path. This path avoided critical structures such as blood vessels, bronchi, ribs, and lung fissures, selecting the high-uptake area for tissue sampling.

After calculating the insertion point, depth, and angle, the RC120 robotic arm accurately positioned its end-effector at the designated location. Following standard procedures, including disinfection, draping, and local anesthesia, the physician inserted the biopsy needle through a small opening in the robotic arm. The needle was precisely guided to the target, and a post-procedure CT scan confirmed its accurate positioning. The biopsy was successfully completed in a single attempt, with the entire positioning process taking less than 10 minutes.

The collected tissue samples revealed areas of necrosis, suspected tumor tissue, and normal lung tissue. The patient experienced no complications, such as bleeding or pneumothorax, and felt fine after the procedure.

According to Simple-Touch Technology's technical staff, the RC120 robotic system employs innovative “CT imaging and intelligent sensor integration technology” to address the limitations of conventional electromagnetic and optical navigation systems. Unlike traditional systems, the RC120 requires no preoperative body markings or additional registration steps.

The procedure adheres to the same workflow as traditional surgery but eliminates extra steps such as applying surface markers, measuring puncture points, or performing “step-by-step” needle insertion, thereby reducing potential errors and enhancing operational efficiency.

Additionally, the RC120 system's sub-millimeter precision in needle placement enables doctors to accurately target lesions while avoiding large lung cysts or blood vessels, thereby reducing the risks of pneumothorax and bleeding. This enhances both precision and safety, providing a better treatment experience and more options for patients.

Editor: Lin Yan, Shu Zhengyu

原文来源：上海松江客户端

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