MRI Methods for Guiding Focused Ultrasound in the Brain

描述(由申请人提供)：该项目的目标是开发先进的磁共振(MR)成像方法，用于指导高强度聚焦超声(FUS)在头部的应用。FUS是下一代非侵入性治疗系统的一种很有前途的技术。FUS的一个重要特征是它能够从体外施加超声波，而不需要任何皮肤穿孔或切开。超声波能量可以集中到大脑内的某个点，对中间组织进行最小限度的加热。该项目的意义在于，它将开发成像方法，以提高这一令人兴奋的神经应用新治疗方法的安全性和有效性。这个项目的方法是开发磁共振成像方法，以提高焦点的质量和基于声辐射力可视化焦点的位置。用磁共振成像对声辐射力进行成像称为MR-ARFI。我们的具体目标是1)改进MR ARFI脉冲序列，2)开发自动聚焦算法，3)开发定位超声焦点的算法。该项目的创新之处在于开发了一种自动化方法，可以在没有手术前CT扫描的成本、不便和辐射剂量的情况下，改善大脑中的超声波聚焦。此外，我们将提高焦点位置的可视化，而不会在敏感结构中出现不必要的热沉积。 公共卫生相关性：聚焦超声是下一代非侵入性癌症治疗系统的一项很有前途的技术。该项目与公共健康的相关性在于，它将为指导大脑中的聚焦超声治疗提供改进的方法。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this project is to develop advanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging methods for guiding high intensity focused ultrasound (FUS) in applications in the head. FUS is a promising technique for the next generation of non-invasive therapy systems. One important feature of FUS lies in its ability to apply ultrasound from outside the body, without any skin puncture or incision. The ultrasound energy can be focused to a point within the brain, with minimal heating of the intervening tissues. The significance of this project is that it would develop imaging methods that would improve the safety and efficacy of this exciting new treatment method for neurological applications. The approach of this project is to develop MR imaging methods for both improving the quality of the focus and for visualizing the location of the focus, based on the acoustic radiation force. Imaging of the acoustic radiation force with MRI is called MR-ARFI. Our specific aims are to 1) improved MR ARFI pulse sequences, 2) develop autofocusing algorithms, and 3) develop algorithms to localize the ultrasound focus. The innovation of the project is the development of an automated way to improve the ultrasound beam focus in the brain without the cost, inconvenience, and the radiation dose of a presurgical CT scan. In addition, we will improve the visualization of the focus location, without unnecessary heat deposition in sensitive structures. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Focused ultrasound is a promising technique for the next generation of non-invasive cancer therapy systems. The relevance of this project to public health is that it would provide improved methods for guiding focused ultrasound treatments in the brain.