INTERACTIVE IMAGE GUIDED THERMAL THERAPY FOR LOCALIZED P

目前正在开发各种形式的微创热疗法用于治疗局限性前列腺癌。它们包括近距离治疗、热疗、激光治疗、聚焦超声、聚焦微波和冷冻手术。这些局部治疗可以提供显着的优势，目前的标准治疗，如根治性乳房切除术，和外部束放射治疗。然而，安全有效地使用局部热方法将需要在手术期间实时监测组织温度和不可逆的热损伤。以前作为国家癌症研究所支持的I期SBIR的一部分，我们开发了一种交互式图像引导激光计算机系统，能够实时，无创地监测组织温度，并使用MR测温预测不可逆的热损伤。基于计算的温度，系统提供反馈控制以产生期望尺寸的激光光凝固损伤。在本提案中，我们计划调整该系统用于监测和反馈控制激光治疗局部前列腺癌的治疗。我们将在体外和体内犬前列腺上对系统进行测试和优化。在第一阶段，系统将围绕使用低成本的二极管激光源耦合到经尿道放置的扩散尖端光纤进行开发。在第二阶段，我们计划扩展系统功能，使其与使用多个光源和光纤以及聚焦超声和微波治疗的新型组织间激光方法兼容。拟议的商业应用：在本研究中开发的交互式、图像引导、计算机控制的热治疗系统将允许以安全有效的方式在前列腺和其他深部组织中进行微创热治疗。目前美国有大约5000台临床MRI扫描仪，开放式MR扫描仪越来越受欢迎，因此MRI就绪热疗法的潜在市场非常重要。除了局部前列腺癌的激光治疗外，该系统还可用于任何需要非侵入性监测和控制组织温度的应用，包括微波、超声和射频。

Various forms of minimally-invasive thermal therapy are currently under development for treatment of localized prostate cancer. They include brachytherapy, hyperthermia, laser therapy, focused ultrasound, focused microwave, and cryosurgery. These local treatments could offer significant advantages over current standards of treatment such as radical prostatectomy, and external beam radiation therapy. However, safe and effective use of local thermal methods will require real-time monitoring of tissue temperatures and irreversible thermal damage during the procedure. Previously as part of a Phase I SBIR supported by the National Cancer Institute, we developed an interactive, image-guided laser-computer system capable of real-time, non-invasive monitoring of tissue temperatures and prediction of irreversible thermal damage using MR thermometry. Based on the calculated temperature, the system provides feedback control for producing laser photocoagulation lesions of a desired size. In this proposal we plan to adapt the system for use in monitoring and feedback control of laser therapy for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. We will perform testing and optimization of the system on in vitro and in vivo canine prostates. In Phase I the system will be developed around use of a low-cost diode laser source coupled to a diffusing tip optical fiber placed transurethrally. In the second phase, we plan to expand the system capabilities to be compatible with newer interstitial laser approaches using multiple sources and fibers as well as focused ultrasound and microwave therapies. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: The interactive, image-guided, computer-controlled thermal therapy system developed during this research will allow minimally invasive thermal therapy in prostate and other deep tissues to be performed in a safe and effective manner. There are some 5000 clinical MRI scanners in the US currently and open MR scanners are increasing in popularity, thus the potential market for MRI-ready thermal therapy is significant. In addition to laser therapy for localized prostate cancer, the system will be useful in any application where non-invasive monitoring and control of tissue temperature is required including microwave, ultrasound, and radiofrequency.