CT and MR compatible light puncture robot: Architectural design and first experiments

Abstract

This paper presents a new robotic architecture designed to perform interventional CT/MR procedures, particularly punctures. Such procedures are very popular nowadays for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Innovations concerning the robotic architecture, materials and energy sources are exposed. We also introduce the control loop we use to check the movements and the positioning of the robot, including a new method to localize the robot thanks to the images coming from the imaging devices (CT or MRI). Finally, the results of the first experiments are presented. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2004.