Smart Catheter for Endovascular Applications

Introduction
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality globally. The global data on cause of death shows 31.8 percent death caused by cardiovascular in 2017. Previously, cardiovascular tackled solely by vascular surgeons using open surgical techniques. Dotter et al. stated that the first minimally invasive surgery (MIS) application was developed for revascularization in 1960s, via the progression in catheter and x-ray technologies. Since then, minimally invasive intervention become a common procedure through intervention radiology.
MIS method allows physician to reach the internal anatomy through small skin incision using a flexible tube know as catheter. This method played a big role in minimizing incision size, hospitalization time, intraoperative blood loss and trauma.
Fast forward to 2000s, numbers of commercial robotic systems were developed to solve the challenges of manual endovascular catheterization. The robotic systems promised to enhance catheter navigation with improved precision and stability while upgrading operator comfort and reducing radiation exposure.
MIS still have several problems even though it enhanced many challenges mentioned above. The main problems are lack of tactile sensing and manoeuvrability of catheter. There is also lack of information on contact force between catheters, guidewire and the anatomy due to the interaction of the entire catheter shape with the vascular anatomy. 'The smart catheter for endovascular applications' goal is to overcome the challenges of tactile sensing by identifying suitable sensors that can be mount on the catheter.
Research Aim
The aim of the project is to further enhance a smart catheter device by identify suitable sensors that can be integrate with the catheter. The proposed a smart catheter for endovascular applications consists of tactile sensor, pre-operative and visualisation techniques that can give a greater perception to the surgeons. The proposed project will be tested on 3D phantom and in environment similar to human body. This project will also engage appropriate manufacturing process.
Objectives
To support surgeon to get information on detecting tissues properties, path planning, information on surgeon force and to avoid obstacle in complex vascular anatomy by using tactile sensors embedded with the catheter.
Reduce radiation exposure for the operators and patient
Reduce vessel wall interaction during navigation
Ability to assist in the mapping and ablation in a vascular anatomy
Novelty
This project is to be focused on the tactile sensing method for endovascular applications. The sensing algorithm will be able to provide information about the shape of the catheter and the interactions between catheter and endovascular tissues. Such information will be shown on a computer-based user interface, integrated with scanning information. The project will also be exploring applying novel sensors to be integrated into catheter manufacturing process.
Methodology
The experiment of the project will be carried out on 3D phantom. The 3D phantom will be made to mimic a biological tissue for vascular anatomy. The developed 3D phantom also will be used to collect data and sensing algorithm development.
The proposed a smart catheter for endovascular applications consists of tactile sensor, pre-operative and visualisation techniques that can give a greater perception to the surgeons. In the later stage of the project, the pre-operative will be integrated with the developed visualized user interference software. Then, the developed smart catheter hardware will be integrated with the software for collecting data and displaying the interaction information. Further testing on a body represented will be carried out such as mock loop.