AI-guided Ultrasound Robot Assists in Congenital Heart Defect Closure

China has successfully completed the world's first intervention to close congenital heart defects using an artificial intelligence (AI) guided ultrasound robot. The procedure, performed on September 5 by the cardiology department at the Sixth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, marks a breakthrough in minimally invasive treatment for structural heart diseases.

The patient, a 48-year-old male, had an atrial septal defect (ASD). Due to challenging anatomical conditions around the defect, multiple hospitals had recommended open-heart surgery. The patient sought a minimally invasive option.

Traditional interventions using handheld ultrasound face limitations in probe stability and the precise identification of complex anatomical targets, even for experienced sonographers.

The newly deployed AI ultrasound robot system, developed jointly by the Sixth Medical Center and Tsinghua University researchers, enables the robotic arm to perform stable, autonomous ultrasound scanning. AI algorithms can identify lesions, precisely delineate defect boundaries, and construct real-time 3D models of the heart. This facilitates the planning of safe surgical pathways, upgrading from experience-based 2D interpretation to standardized, precise, and reproducible 3D intelligent navigation.

During the surgery, the intelligent robot managed image acquisition, lesion localization, and real-time navigation. This aided the surgical team in accurately deploying the closure device, reducing human error, enhancing precision and safety, and shortening the operation time. The technology offers new support for complex minimally invasive interventions.