BK Medical’s Advanced Robotic Ultrasound Technology for Prostate Surgery

At the ongoing European Association of Urology Congress in Vienna, Analogic‘s BK Medical division has unveiled a prostate ultrasound imaging system specifically for robotic surgery. The package revolves around the touch operated Flex Focus 700 ultrasound and includes 3DART endocavity transducer and the RST Robotic Stationary Transducer Arm for securing it, and the ProART dedicated robotic transducer.

The new 3DART endocavity transducer is small in diameter for minimal patient discomfort with no moving parts touching the patient. The resulting 3D data cube can be manipulated to assess anatomy and geometry of the prostate prior to surgery for planning purposes. During surgery, the 3DART transducer may also help identify useful landmarks and assessment of the posterior border of the prostate in real time during dissection.
The company’s new ProART specialized robotic transducer is designed to address the challenges of ultrasound imaging during robotic-assisted surgery. The transducer is a curved linear array that images from 12-5 MHz with 2D, color and spectral Doppler, and it can easily fit into a standard trocar. The grasping fin is optimally positioned directly over the array for superb control, maneuverability and optimal acoustic contact. The ProART transducer has the potential to provide ultrasound guidance and verification during RAPN procedures. Early indications for ultrasound imaging also include identifying the pudendal arteries and nerves during RARP.