Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026
09:12
Facet-to-facet Linking of Shape-anisotropic Colloidal Cadmium Chalcogenide Nanostructures
Published on: August 10, 2017
8.0K
Robotic ultrasound-guided facet joint insertion
Javier Esteban1, Walter Simson2, Sebastian Requena Witzig2
1Technical University of Munich, Garching bei München, Germany. javier.esteban@tum.de.
Summary
Robotic ultrasound (rUS) offers a radiation-free alternative for facet joint injections, a common treatment for chronic back pain. Clinical data shows rUS-guided needle insertion is effective and comparable to traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Robotics in Medicine
- Pain Management
Background:
- Facet joint injections are a standard procedure for chronic back and spine pain.
- Fluoroscopic guidance, commonly used, poses risks of repetitive radiation exposure for medical staff.
- Robotic ultrasound (rUS) presents a potential solution to mitigate radiation exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the first clinical data on robotic ultrasound-guided facet joint insertions.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rUS in this procedure.
- To demonstrate the potential of rUS to reduce or eliminate radiation use.
Main Methods:
- Development of a system with automatic ultrasound (US) acquisition and a calibrated needle targeting system.
- Physician assistance through needle holder positioning on a trajectory selected in a 3D US volume.
- Integration of US imaging for enhanced anatomical visualization.
Main Results:
- Nine facet joints were successfully treated in an ongoing clinical study.
- The insertion success rate demonstrated comparability to current clinical practices.
- Ultrasound imaging provided valuable additional anatomical context for planning needle trajectories.
Conclusions:
- Robotic ultrasound-assisted facet joint insertion shows promise as a clinical solution.
- The system is designed for easy integration into existing clinical workflows.
- Initial clinical data supports the value and feasibility of this radiation-free approach.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:16Structural Joints: Synovial Joints
7.2K
Synovial joints are the most common type of joint in the body. A key structural characteristic for a synovial joint is the presence of a joint cavity. This fluid-filled space is where the articulating surfaces of the bones contact each other. Also, unlike fibrous or cartilaginous joints, the articulating bone surfaces at a synovial joint are not directly connected to each other with fibrous connective tissue or cartilage. This gives the bones of a synovial joint the ability to move smoothly...
7.2K
01:03Structural Joints: Fibrous Joints
3.9K
Fibrous joints are a type of joint where the bones are connected by fibrous connective tissue. These joints provide stability and minimal to no movement between the articulating bones. There are three types of fibrous joints.
Suture
All the bones of the skull, except for the mandible, are joined to each other by a fibrous joint called a suture. The fibrous connective tissue found at a suture strongly unites the adjacent skull bones and thus helps to protect the brain and form the face. In...
Suture
All the bones of the skull, except for the mandible, are joined to each other by a fibrous joint called a suture. The fibrous connective tissue found at a suture strongly unites the adjacent skull bones and thus helps to protect the brain and form the face. In...
3.9K
01:17Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints
4.2K
As the name indicates, at a cartilaginous joint, the adjacent bones are united by cartilage, a tough but flexible type of connective tissue. Unlike synovial joints, these types of joints lack a joint cavity and involve bones joined together by either hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage.
There are two types of cartilaginous joints:
Synchondrosis
A synchondrosis ("joined by cartilage") is a cartilaginous joint where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage. Synchondrosis may be temporary...
There are two types of cartilaginous joints:
Synchondrosis
A synchondrosis ("joined by cartilage") is a cartilaginous joint where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage. Synchondrosis may be temporary...
4.2K
01:26Joints
35.9K
Joints, also called articulations or articular surfaces, are points at which ligaments or other tissues connect adjacent bones. Joints permit movement and stability, and can be classified based on their structure or function.
Structural joint classifications are based on the material that makes up the joint as well as whether or not the joint contains a space between the bones. Joints are structurally classified as fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial.
Fibrous Joints Are Immovable
The bones of a...
Structural joint classifications are based on the material that makes up the joint as well as whether or not the joint contains a space between the bones. Joints are structurally classified as fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial.
Fibrous Joints Are Immovable
The bones of a...
35.9K
01:30Method of Joints
1.3K
The method of joints is a commonly used technique to analyze the forces in structural trusses. The method is based on the principle of equilibrium, which assumes that the truss members are connected by frictionless pins. The forces at each joint can be determined by considering the equilibrium of the forces acting on that joint.
Since plane truss members are in the same plane, each joint is subjected to a coplanar and concurrent force system. To apply the method of joints, the first step is to...
Since plane truss members are in the same plane, each joint is subjected to a coplanar and concurrent force system. To apply the method of joints, the first step is to...
1.3K
00:58Introduction to Joints
4.9K
The adult human body usually has 206 bones, and except for the hyoid bone in the neck, each bone is connected to at least one other bone. Joints are the location where bones come together. Many joints allow for movement between the bones. At these joints, the articulating surfaces of the adjacent bones can move smoothly against each other. However, the bones of other joints may be joined by connective tissue or cartilage. These joints are designed for stability and provide little or no...
4.9K