Totally Implantable Venous Access Device (Chemoport) in Oncology: Study of 168 Polyurethane Chemoport Catheter System

Background Chemoport (totally implantable venous access device) and its catheter system are used to administer long-term chemotherapy in cancer patients. The objective of this study was to analyze the complications associated with chemoport insertion in various cancer patients. Material and Methods A total number of 168 chemoports along with polyurethane catheters were inserted in various cancer patients over a period of 3 years. 9.6 F polyurethane catheters were put by a team of surgical oncologists in operation theater under general or local anesthesia. Analysis of the complications was done until the chemoport was removed due to any reason. Results Out of 168 patients, 30 (17.85%) developed complications. Complications included arterial puncture, malposition of the catheter tip, pneumothorax, hematoma, seroma, deep vein thrombosis, fracture of the catheter, a reversal of port, infections, and thrombosis of the catheter. Only a few required premature port and catheter removal. Conclusion There was a low rate of complications associated with chemoport using a polyurethane type of catheter system. However, infection-related complications were comparatively more common in our series. Chemoport requires expert handling, patient education, strict follow-up, and dedicated teamwork to minimize complications.

On Task-specific Autonomy in Robotic Interventions: A Multimodal Learning-based Approach for Multi-level Skill Assessment during Cyborg Catheterization

Lack of learning-based methods for characterizing the multimodal data generated during cyborg catheterization hinders the drive towards autonomous robotic control. Also, multiplexing salient features from multiple data-sources can enhance effective assessment and classification of domain skills for apt intelligent surgeon-robot (cyborg) catheterization during intravascular interventions. In this study, task-specific autonomous intervention is envisioned upon an isomorphic master-slave robotic catheter system that exhibit hand defter techniques used in Cath Labs. To drive cyborg catheterization, stacking-based deep neural network is developed for three-level skill assessment.<br>

On Task-specific Autonomy in Robotic Interventions: A Multimodal Learning-based Approach for Multi-level Skill Assessment during Cyborg Catheterization

Lack of learning-based methods for characterizing the multimodal data generated during cyborg catheterization hinders the drive towards autonomous robotic control. Also, multiplexing salient features from multiple data-sources can enhance effective assessment and classification of domain skills for apt intelligent surgeon-robot (cyborg) catheterization during intravascular interventions. In this study, task-specific autonomous intervention is envisioned upon an isomorphic master-slave robotic catheter system that exhibit hand defter techniques used in Cath Labs. To drive cyborg catheterization, stacking-based deep neural network is developed for three-level skill assessment.<br>

Selective therapeutic cooling: To maximize benefits and minimize side effects related to hypothermia

Selective therapeutic cooling is a promising technique for reducing final infarct volume and improving outcomes in ischemic stroke, especially as research regarding brain reperfusion continues to be explored. A recent study provided promising results on the safety and feasibility of selective therapeutic hypothermia via a closed-loop cooling catheter system for intra-carotid blood cooling in an ovine stroke model, but they failed to find efficacy of this method in this model. It is a major step forward from bench to bed side, but enhancing benefits of selective therapeutic cooling may need to take into account a more targeted induction of brain hypothermia and should mitigate potential side effects related to inducing hypothermia.