Evaluation of an Autonomous Robotic System for Reducing Radiation Risk in a Real-World Cardiac Imaging Laboratory

Abstract

Background: Nuclear imaging is the cornerstone of clinical practice across many disciplines. Few innovations in imaging have addressed occupational health of radiographers exposed to radiation in their daily work. In this proof-of-concept study, we hypothesized that the use of autonomous robots in a high-volume Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) clinic to help reduce radiation risk for radiographers.

Methods: After initial assessment of the radiographer's workflow, an autonomous robot was set up to navigate and deliver radiotracer doses between the radio pharmacy and the injection room. 8 radiographers were briefed on robot usage and allowed to use the robot for their daily operations. Radiation exposure was measured as part of the regular bi-monthly Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD) dose tracking. Radiation exposure before and after robot implementation were compared to assess whether the implementation of the autonomous robot significantly reduced radiation exposure for the radiographers.

Results: We observed a significant reduction in mean bi-monthly radiation exposure following the implementation of the autonomous robot. The mean radiation dose decreased from 0.67 mSv (95% CI: 0.60-0.74) pre-implementation to 0.49 mSv 95% (CI: 0.44-0.54) post-implementation, corresponding to a relative reduction of approximately 27%. A Bayesian independent t-test revealed strong evidence for this reduction, with Bayes Factors (BF10) of 17.04 for skin dose and 17.76 for whole-body dose, supporting the hypothesis that the autonomous robot effectively reduced radiation exposure among radiographers.

Conclusion: In this study, we provided a proof-of-concept on the use of autonomous robots in a MPI clinic as an additional tool to help radiographers manage radiation risk in their work. The innovations in technologies could expand the strategies available for managing occupational radiation risks in alignment with as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) principles. Future work on scalability across diverse clinical and operational contexts would be next steps.

Keywords: Autonomous robotics in healthcare; Diagnostic nuclear imaging; Radiation risk management.