Ultrasound/photoacoustic guidance integrated with robotic surgery
An integrated intraoperative guidance system combining da Vinci robotic surgery with real-time ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging to visualize critical subsurface anatomy and enhance surgical precision.
Overview
This integrated surgical guidance system enhances robot-assisted minimally invasive procedures by combining the da Vinci surgical robot with real-time transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and photoacoustic (PA) imaging. By leveraging the high penetration of ultrasound and the molecular contrast of photoacoustic imaging, the system provides surgeons with critical subsurface anatomical data—such as blood vessels or nerves—that are otherwise invisible to standard endoscopic cameras. This capability helps minimize the risk of complications, including hemorrhage and paralysis, by offering intuitive, real-time visualization and guidance.
Technical specifications
- Real-time co-registration: Uses photoacoustic markers (PMs) to align the endoscopic camera view with TRUS/PA imaging frames for precise spatial orientation.
- Advanced tracking: Incorporates automated search algorithms to localize photoacoustic markers, significantly reducing the manual effort and time required for setup compared to traditional methods.
- Visualization: Superimposes PA imaging data onto the endoscopic video feed as an augmented reality overlay.
- High precision: Demonstrates sub-centimeter volumetric reconstruction and target registration accuracy, suitable for clinical surgical requirements.
- Compatibility: Designed to interface with the da Vinci surgical robot ecosystem, enabling seamless integration into existing robotic surgical workflows.
Technology readiness level
4 This technology has been successfully validated in laboratory and ex vivo settings (e.g., phantom studies and chicken breast tissue models). While it has demonstrated robust performance in these controlled environments, it has not yet reached full clinical deployment or commercial release, placing it in the prototype demonstration and lab validation phase.
About Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University is a comprehensive private research university headquartered in Baltimore with a large research enterprise and a culture of discovery and translation. Integrated with a major academic health system, the university offers access to clinicians, patient populations, biorepositories, and audited trial operations. A research park near the medical campus, plus startup incubators and corporate engagement teams, enable co-location, pilots, and fast iteration. A major university‑affiliated research center expands applied R&D and prototyping capacity, and proximity to Washington, DC links partners to federal agencies and regulators. Research is supported by federal funding from NIH, NSF, DoD, and others, and a dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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