Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Needle Insertion Robots: A Review of Systems for Liver and Kidney Interventions

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided intervention for the liver and kidney has achieved considerable progress in tumor diagnosis and treatment over the past two decades. However, due to the space constraints associated with the narrow and deep bore of MRI machines, it is still extremely challenging for clinicians to position and drive the needle-shaped probes used for delivering the treatment where the targeted tumoral mass is located. MRI-compatible robotic systems have been investigated by several research teams worldwide, both in academia and industry. These endeavors aim to address challenges related to the confined workspace within MRI machine bores. The goal is to facilitate the shift from computed tomography (CT)-guided to MRI-guided interventions, leveraging the advantages of MRI, including its exceptional soft tissue contrast, nonionizing radiation, and versatile multiangle imaging capabilities. In this article, we systematically review the state-of-the-art MRI-guided needle insertion robots for the treatment of the liver and kidney in order to identify challenges, trends, and potential research gaps in this field. Furthermore, this review encompasses robotic systems designed for anatomically similar regions or exhibiting comparable structures to those intended for interventions in the liver and kidney. These systems, which have shown potential for application in this field, are discussed to explore possibilities within this domain. The review concludes by proposing future research directions in this area.