Successful first-in-North America and first-in-world nerve blocks using the robotic ultrasound needle guidance system demonstrate its potential for widespread use in regional anesthesia.

NTRODUCTION

• The ultrasound system combines real-time ultrasound imaging with robotic-assisted needle guidance

• Potential to enhance needle trajectory precision, target acquisition, and operator confidence during nerve block procedures

• Increase nerve block utilization, success rate, efficiency and procedure safety 

METHODS

• Utilize  and assess the practicality of the first four peripheral nerve blocks performed with  the Focalist System (Mendaera, Inc) at the University of Minnesota

• Blocks were performed on two patients (two blocks per patient) by a single anesthesiologist, who received a single 45 minute training session on the device. 

• Metrics collected included

• Quantitative: number of attempts, success rate and procedure time (sterile probe placement to needle insertion and needle insertion to procedure completion)

• Qualitative: ease of use and procedural confidence 

RESULTS

• All 4 nerve blocks, using the device, were performed successfully on first attempt 

• Patient #1: bilateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks for a robotic-assisted ovarian cystectomy

• Patient #2: adductor canal block (ACB) and popliteal block (POP) for Achilles repair surgery

• Mean time of initial ultrasound probe scanning to initial needle insertion: 2.0 minutes (SD 1.4)

• Mean time of initial needle insertion to block completion: 1.75 minutes (SD 0.5). 

• Operator reported high scores for ease of use and confidence in needle placement.

  
  

  ONCLUSION

  • The robotic-assisted ultrasound guidance system demonstrated good practicality and safety on initial series of nerve blocks 

  • Needle and anatomic targets were easily visualized with the system’s guidance features such as planar alignment and depth measurement,  increasing operator confidence with needle placement. 

  • First-In-North-America TAP blocks with Focalist successfully performed

  • First-In-World ACB and POP blocks with Focalist successfully performed

  • Opportunity for increased use and study across various nerve blocks, patient populations, and operator experience level