MRI Methods for Guiding Focused Ultrasound in the Brain

描述（由申请人提供）：本项目的目标是开发先进的磁共振（MR）成像方法，用于引导头部应用中的高强度聚焦超声（FUS）。FUS是下一代无创治疗系统的一种有前途的技术。FUS的一个重要特征在于其能够从体外应用超声，而无需任何皮肤穿刺或切口。超声波能量可以聚焦到大脑内的一个点，对介入组织的加热最小。该项目的意义在于，它将开发成像方法，以提高这种令人兴奋的新治疗方法在神经学应用中的安全性和有效性。该项目的方法是开发MR成像方法，用于改善焦点的质量并基于声辐射力可视化焦点的位置。利用MRI对声辐射力进行成像被称为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的方法来改善超声波束在大脑中的聚焦，而无需术前CT扫描的成本、不便和辐射剂量。此外，我们将改善焦点位置的可视化，而不会在敏感结构中产生不必要的热沉积。 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种有前途的技术。该项目与公共卫生的相关性在于，它将为引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.