BACKGROUND: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a promising treatment method for many common cancers, including prostate cancer.
Magnetic resonance image (MRI) guidance of HIFU permits targeting and monitoring of therapy. A prototype MRI-compatible positioning device that navigates a HIFU transducer was designed, fabricated and tested.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The positioning device has two PC-controlled and one manually driven stage that allow endorectal access to the prostate. The positioning device was constructed using a 3-D rapid prototype manufacturing device. Software was developed that controls the motion of the positioning device and enables activation of a HIFU transducer. In vitro testing of the system was performed in a 1.5T MRI scanner using ex vivo turkey tissue. Optical encoders were employed to enhance the accuracy of this positioning device.
RESULT: The positioning device was successfully tested for MRI compatibility. The movement error of the positioning device is approximately 20 [Formula: see text]m. The robot has the ability to accurately move the transducer for creation of discrete and overlapping lesions.
CONCLUSION: An MRI-compatible HIFU positioning system was developed that has the ability to create thermal lesions with MRI guidance for endorectal treatment of prostate cancer.
Written by:
Yiallouras C, Mylonas N, Damianou C. Are you the author?
MEDSONIC LTD, Limassol, Cyprus.
Reference: Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg. 2013 Dec 13. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1007/s11548-013-0964-x
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24337790
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