Recently, the 1st National Digital Health Innovation Application Competition, focused on medical artificial intelligence, successfully concluded in Hangzhou. Among the projects, "Precision Resection of Pulmonary Nodules Based on AI Mapping of Pulmonary Vascular Terrain," jointly developed by Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, and Guangdong OptoMedic Technologies INC, clinched the first prize in the precision medicine category. Its outstanding innovation and advancement in clinical research on lung cancer garnered recognition.

Hosted by the National Health Commission and organized by the Zhejiang Provincial Health Commission and the National Health Commission Statistics Information Center, the competition attracted 420 projects nationwide. Over 1800 participants from 28 provinces, regions, and cities participated. After rigorous evaluation through preliminary, semi-final, and final rounds, 39 teams emerged victorious across four tracks, including precision medicine and digital imaging.

Making Lung Cancer Borders Clear, Enhancing Surgical Safety and Precision

Lung cancer, a prevalent malignancy in China, ranks among the top five cancers in terms of incidence rates. With increasing health awareness and the popularity of low-dose spiral CT screening, the detection rate of lung nodules has surged. However, conventional lung cancer surgery often leads to lung function loss. The challenge lies in achieving precise tumor removal while preserving normal lung tissue, a focal point in thoracic surgery.

Addressing this challenge, Professor Zhong Wenzhao's team from Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital devised the "Watershed Analysis Method." This precise lung nodule localization technology, based on CT three-dimensional reconstruction and personalized analysis of lung anatomical variations, accurately simulates the watershed range of target arteries housing nodules before surgery. It guides real-time localization and removal of lung nodules during surgery, significantly enhancing safety and precision.

The watershed topography navigation technology, also known as lung watershed topography, has evolved to its 2.0 version. It aids clinical physicians in comprehending and mastering the anatomical variation rules of lung segment boundaries, thereby preemptively avoiding blind areas, shortening surgery time, and reducing the risk of complications like surgical bleeding.

Fluorescence laparoscopy, pivotal for precise resection of lung nodules, has been integral to this project since 2022. With over 1,000 cases of precise lung segment resection surgery conducted, the team leverages OptoMedic's pioneering technological advantages in fluorescence imaging. Through precise regional blocking technology, indocyanine green (ICG) injected into the vein highlights vascular boundaries under fluorescence imaging. This enables clinicians to accurately mark and proceed with surgical resection, enhancing safety and efficacy while reducing surgical difficulty.

High promotional value and broad application prospects

In clinical surgery, the intricate and diverse vascular network within the lungs, coupled with considerable individual variations, poses significant challenges. Industry experts propose utilizing three-dimensional reconstruction to visualize lung tissue morphology, spatial distribution of nodules, pulmonary vessels, and bronchi. This aids doctors in crafting personalized surgical resection plans tailored to each patient's unique condition. Comparable to a navigation system guiding a driver, personalized three-dimensional reconstruction technology streamlines surgical procedures, preserving more healthy lung tissue and minimizing resection extent.

Clinical data illustrates the remarkable efficiency of this technology, with surgical times reduced to under 30 minutes. Patients experience shorter postoperative hospital stays, dwindling from the standard 5 days to merely 2 days. Moreover, the technology's low complication rate facilitates rapid patient recovery and diminishes trauma.

In the era of precision medicine, precise pulmonary resection based on watershed mapping stands as a significant innovation in minimally invasive lung cancer surgery. Its advantages, including a streamlined preoperative planning process, a short learning curve for surgeons, and high promotability, underscore its importance. To enhance the technology's maturity, a large-scale prospective clinical study, in collaboration with 71 national units, has been initiated. Identified as a suitable technology promotion project by the Office of the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, it has positively impacted cancer diagnosis and treatment levels, bolstering standardization in grassroots hospitals.

This technology has garnered international recognition, featured at esteemed events such as the 2023 World Lung Cancer Congress and the 37th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Thoracic surgery experts and scholars worldwide have lauded its advancements.

Recently, the National Health Commission and 13 other departments jointly announced the "Healthy China Action - Cancer Prevention and Control Action Plan (2023-2030)." This comprehensive plan delineates specific requirements for promoting early cancer diagnosis and treatment, standardizing cancer care, and expediting major scientific and technological breakthroughs. With the nation intensifying efforts toward high-quality cancer prevention and control, the precise resection of pulmonary nodules, combining diagnostic and treatment accuracy with high promotability, holds immense potential. The project team is actively conducting further clinical research to expedite the implementation of results, aiming to introduce new treatment options and instill hope among patients.