Project Details
Description
Project Idea
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a routine diagnostic procedure used to collect fluid samples from the lungs and is useful in the diagnosis of pulmonary infections (e.g., tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia, fungal disease) and interstitial lung disorders. The procedure involves advancing a flexible bronchoscope inserted through the mouth or nose to the target bronchus, holding it in place, instilling saline (60–180 ml), and sucked up the fluid by low-pressure suction. After, the saline solution will contain cells and other substances, such as bacteria, which will be taken to a lab for testing.
Currently, BAL is performed manually under image guidance. Navigating the lung’s complex, maze-like anatomy is especially challenging for less experienced bronchoscopists, often leading to missed segments or unnecessary exploration for fluid collection. With increasing demand and limited specialist availability, there is a critical need for new technologies that ensure both precision and accessibility of BAL.
This project proposes the development of ARBAL, a fully automated robotic bronchoscopy system for BAL guided by artificial intelligence. ARBAL will deliver expert-level precision and consistency, reduce waiting times, and improve outcomes by enabling earlier diagnoses of lung infections.
Method
To maximize clinical accessibility, the system will be designed for rapid integration with existing commercial bronchoscopes and include a dedicated suction–instillation module to deliver saline in controlled aliquots and recover fluid via regulated low-pressure suction, preventing airway collapse. The robotic bronchoscope will autonomously navigate up to three bronchial divisions and reach predefined anatomical locations requested for BAL, guided by real-time image interpretation. A control system will manage the bronchoscope’s degrees of freedom to ensure accurate path following while maintaining a safe distance from airway walls. Closed-loop control will regulate suction pressure, preventing airway collapse, ensuring patient safety, while liquid is collected to sterile disposable tubing to ensure hygiene.
The project is funded byFabrikant Vilhelm Pedersen og Hustrus Legat.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a routine diagnostic procedure used to collect fluid samples from the lungs and is useful in the diagnosis of pulmonary infections (e.g., tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia, fungal disease) and interstitial lung disorders. The procedure involves advancing a flexible bronchoscope inserted through the mouth or nose to the target bronchus, holding it in place, instilling saline (60–180 ml), and sucked up the fluid by low-pressure suction. After, the saline solution will contain cells and other substances, such as bacteria, which will be taken to a lab for testing.
Currently, BAL is performed manually under image guidance. Navigating the lung’s complex, maze-like anatomy is especially challenging for less experienced bronchoscopists, often leading to missed segments or unnecessary exploration for fluid collection. With increasing demand and limited specialist availability, there is a critical need for new technologies that ensure both precision and accessibility of BAL.
This project proposes the development of ARBAL, a fully automated robotic bronchoscopy system for BAL guided by artificial intelligence. ARBAL will deliver expert-level precision and consistency, reduce waiting times, and improve outcomes by enabling earlier diagnoses of lung infections.
Method
To maximize clinical accessibility, the system will be designed for rapid integration with existing commercial bronchoscopes and include a dedicated suction–instillation module to deliver saline in controlled aliquots and recover fluid via regulated low-pressure suction, preventing airway collapse. The robotic bronchoscope will autonomously navigate up to three bronchial divisions and reach predefined anatomical locations requested for BAL, guided by real-time image interpretation. A control system will manage the bronchoscope’s degrees of freedom to ensure accurate path following while maintaining a safe distance from airway walls. Closed-loop control will regulate suction pressure, preventing airway collapse, ensuring patient safety, while liquid is collected to sterile disposable tubing to ensure hygiene.
The project is funded byFabrikant Vilhelm Pedersen og Hustrus Legat.
Layman's description
The ARBAL project focuses on developing a fully automated robotic bronchoscopy system for Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) guided by artificial intelligence.
| Acronym | VP-ARBAL |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Effective start/end date | 01/01/2026 → 31/12/2027 |
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