Siemens robot revolutionizes interventional imaging

Siemens Medical Solutions demonstrated on the RSNA exhibit floor a novel marriage between industrial robotics and advanced C-arm technology. Its new work-in-progress, Artis zeego, is based on technology developed for heavy equipment manufacture. The robot arm can tilt, turn, and raise and lower the digital detector and x-ray tube. It also can move the single-plane imaging system into position to visualize interventional procedures. Part of Siemens' new Artis zee family of interventional imaging, zeego adjusts the isocenter to fit the procedure or height of the physician. The robot spins the C-arm to acquire data volumes that, when reconstructed using DynaCT, are comparable to those of some CT systems, according to company executives. Off-center rotational angiography for any area of the body can also be performed.