CT-Guided, Minimally Invasive, Postmortem Needle Biopsy Using the B-Rob II Needle-Positioning Robot

• NCJ Number: 246617
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 59 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2014 Pages: 517-521
• Author(s): Rosa M. Martinez M.D.; Wolfgang Ptacek; Wolf Schweitzer M.D.; Gernot Kronreif; Martin Fürst; Michael J. Thali M.D.; Lars C. Ebert Ph.D.
• Date Published: March 2014
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

CT-guided, minimally invasive needle biopsy techniques can be used to retrieve tissue or body fluid samples for histologic tissue diagnoses in forensic investigations.

Abstract

CT-guided, minimally invasive needle biopsy techniques can be used to retrieve tissue or body fluid samples for histologic tissue diagnoses in forensic investigations. The purpose of this study was an evaluation of CT-guided needle-positioning robot B-Rob II. To operate under CT guidance, we adopted the B-Rob II robotic needle placement system and its workflow. The accuracy and speed of the procedure were tested on a gelatin phantom in a series of 21 biopsies. We achieved an average needle placement accuracy of 1.8 mm +/- 1.1 mm using robotic assistance. The procedure required an average of 2 min 21 s. The needle placement accuracy for minimally invasive needle biopsies using the B-Rob II biopsy robot is sufficiently accurate and fast for forensic postmortem examinations of focal organ changes. Further tests will be performed to test the feasibility of the robot for performing biopsies of focal organ changes in human bodies. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.