An MRI-conditional FUS robotic system was developed that has the potential to create thermal lesions with the intention of treating bone cancer for the purpose of pain palliation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This system has the potential to be deployed as a cost effective solution for performing experiments in small animals.

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Introduction: The target of this study was the development of a magnetic resonance imaging

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Background and Objectives: An magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) positioning device was developed with 3 identical Cartesian stages. The robotic system can be utilized to move a focused ultrasound transducer for performing various MR-guided applications. Materials and Methods: A single element spherically focused transducer of 4 cm diameter, focusing at 10 cm, and operating at 1.14 MHz was used during the evaluation of the robotic system. The propagation of ultrasound was either lateral or superior to inferior. MRI thermometry algorithms were developed to assess the thermal effects of MRgFUS. The proposed robotic system was developed using a three-dimensional printer. Results: The system was tested successfully in a gel phantom for various tasks (robot motion, functionality, and MR compatibility). Controlled thermal lesions were created in the gel phantom. The lesion creation was monitored successfully using MRI thermometry. Conclusions: The system was tested successfully for its functionality and its MR compatibility. This system has the potential to be used for focused ultrasound applications in the brain, breast, abdominal, and thyroid.

BackgroundA novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-conditional coupling system was developed that accommodates a focused ultrasound (FUS) transducer. With this coupling system, the transducer can access targets from top to bottom. The intended clinical application is treatment of fibroids using FUS with the patient placed in supine position.MethodsThe coupling system was manufactured using a rapid prototyping device using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. Coupling to a gel phantom was achieved using a water bag filled with degassed water. The FUS transducer was immersed in the water bag.ResultsThe coupling system was successfully tested for MRI compatibility using fast-gradient pulse sequences in a gel phantom. The robotic system with its new coupling system was evaluated for its functionality for creating discrete and multiple (overlapping) lesions in the gel phantom.ConclusionsAn MRI-conditional FUS coupling system integrated with an existing robotic system was developed that has the potential to create thermal lesions in targets using a top-to-bottom approach. This system has the potential to treat fibroid tumors with the patient lying in supine position.