Objective:To explore the feasibility of recoverable fiducial marker implantation guided using the intelligent navigation bronchoscopy technology in the Cyberknife Synchrony-based respiratory tracking.Methods:CT scans of an inflatable pig lung after anti-rot processing were obtained. Then, eight simulated tumor lesion sites were designed in the left and right lung lobes using intelligent navigation software, with four classified as the sputum bronchial environment group and four classified as the wet bronchial environment group. Based on the implantation principle of Cyberknife fiducial markers, 32 recoverable fiducial markers were implanted around various simulated tumor lesions via bronchus under intelligent guidance. Then, the end-expiratory state of the pig lung was simulated, the pig lung was scanned again to obtain CT images of the implanted recoverable fiducial markers, and the number of successfully implanted fiducial markers was recorded. Eight deliverable Synchrony treatment protocols were designed using the Cyberknife planning system (Multiplan v4.6), and then the pig lung with simulated respiratory movements was exposed to radiation. After radiation, the implanted recoverable fiducial markers were retrieved using the bronchoscopy technique, and the number of successfully retrieved fiducial markers was recorded. Moreover, the translational errors, rotational errors, and rigid body errors were extracted from the Cyberknife log file and analyzed.Results:No recoverable fiducial markers slipped or fell during the experiment. Thirty-two recoverable fiducial markers were successfully implanted and recovered under the guidance of intelligent navigation bronchoscopy, with implantation and recovery success rates of both 100%. Moreover, the tracking rate and rigid body errors of the fiducial markers were 100% and less than 5 mm, respectively. The data from the Cyberknife log file indicated that there was no significant difference between the sputum bronchial environment group and the wet bronchial environment group in the translational errors in the left-right direction, the rotational errors in the roll direction, and the rotational errors in the pitch direction ( P>0.05). Compared to the wet bronchial environment group, the sputum bronchial environment group had slightly higher translational errors in front-back ( Z=-3.57, P<0.01) and cranio-caudal ( Z=-2.53, P<0.05) directions, lower rotational errors along the yaw axis ( Z = -3.88, P < 0.01), and lower rigid body error ( Z=-3.32, P<0.01), and the differences were all statistically significant. Conclusions:The recoverable fiducial marker implantation guided using the intelligent navigation bronchoscopy technology is feasible. Recoverable fiducial markers are stable in the bronchus of the phantom, and the Cyberknife tracking precision can meet clinical requirements. Therefore, the recoverable fiducial marker implantation guided using the intelligent navigation bronchoscopy technology has promising prospects in clinical and teaching applications.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of a novel liver fiducial marker implantation method for internal fixation and removal of rabbit livers, in order to use in Cyberknife tracking therapy.Methods:Experiments were conducted in vivo and in vitro. In the in vivo experiment, three fiducial markers were implanted percutaneously in each liver of ten rabbits under anesthesia, and the fourth fiducial marker with an external catheter and fixed thin wire was implanted ten days later. After the reference group (the first and the second maker), and the casing group (the first and the fourth marker) were respectively registered and tracked with the Cyberknife, the implantation success rate, registration accuracy, and removal safety of fiducial markers were assessed. The tensile test was performed using liver in vitro by measuring the resistance required to dislodge the spring coil fiducial markers and the fiducial markers without spring coil from liver. Results:The intrahepatic catheter implantation and removal of fiducial marker in rabbit liver had a success rate of 100% and no distant migration. The operation-related and postoperative complications were not occurred. All fiducial markers were successfully traced. Compared to the reference group, the casing group had slightly higher translational errors in supero-inferior and antero-posterior directions ( Z=-11.77, -4.57, P<0.05), and lower translational errors in left-right direction ( Z=-2.52, P<0.05). The dislodgement forces for spring coil fiducial markers was (2.23±0.85) N, significantly different with (0.81±0.13) N for fiducial markers without spring coil ( Z=- 2.31, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The spiral coil structure provides superior fixation in the punctured needle channel, the thin line limits the distant displacement of the fiducial marker outside the liver, and the catheter establishes a channel for the removal. The general operation is simple and easy.