TRANSRECTAL PROSTATE THERAPY ROBOT IN CLOSED MRI SCANNER

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of needle-based therapy and biopsy procedures in the management of prostate cancer. Despite all advances in clinical and biophysical methodologies, however, precise anatomy-guided needle placement and real-time monitoring of the actual therapeutic process are still unsolved problems. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been found to be an ideal imaging modality for guiding and monitoring prostatic interventions, due to its high specificity to soft tissue abnormalities, real-time capability in monitoring needle placement and induced physiological changes, and its ability to show concurrent metabolic activity if combined wil:h spectroscopy. At the same time, however, closed high-field MRI historically has been the most unavailable imaging modality for guiding minimally invasive interventions. The scanner's high magnetic field and extremely confined physical space present a formidable engineering challenge, and "conventional" difficulties such as needle deflection, tissue deformation, and target motion also add to the problem. Our ultimate goal is to provide a technology platform for precise transrectal needle placement into the prostate for diagnostic, analytical, and therapeutic purposes; inside a conventional closed MRI scanner, under active real-time MRI guidance and monitoring. In prior work, we have developed a prototype of such an integrated system and proved the feasibility of our approach in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications, invivo on canines. In response to this RFA, we propose to develop a more advanced system that is suitable for a variety of applications on human patients.