MRI-Guided Robot-assisted Deep Brain Stimulation Electrode PLacement
Direct MR image guidance during deep brain stimulation (DBS) insertion offers many benefits; most significantly, interventional MRI can be used for planning, monitoring of tissue deformation, real-time visualization of insertion, and confirmation of placement. The accuracy of standard stereotactic insertion is limited by registration errors and brain movement during surgery. With real-time acquisition of high-resolution MR images during insertion, probe placement can be confirmed intra-operatively. Direct MR guidance has not taken hold because it is often confounded by a number of issues including: MR-compatibility of existing stereotactic surgery equipment and patient access in the scanner bore. The high resolution images required for neurosurgical planning and guidance require high-field MR (1.5-3T); thus, any system must be capable of working within the constraints of a closed, long-bore diagnostic magnet. Currently, no technological solution exists to assist MRI guided neurosurgical interventions in an accurate, simple, and economical manner.
The objective of our research is to make conventional diagnostic closed high-field MRI scanners available for guiding deep brain stimulation electrode placement interventions. Our approach is to employ an MRI-compatible robotic assistant for guiding DBS electrode insertion under direct, real-time MR image guidance. The system will allow interactive probe alignment under real-time imaging in standard diagnostic high-field MR scanners. Use of a robotic assistant will minimize the potential for human error and mis-registration associated with the current procedure and will better address the practical issues of operating in an MR scanner bore.
Key Investigators
- WPI: Gregory Fischer
- UMass: Julie Pilitsis
- JHU: Peter Kazanzides
Participants
- WPI: Greg Fischer
References
- Wang Y, Cole GA, Su H, Pilitis JG, Fischer GS, MRI Compatibility Evaluation of a Piezoelectric Actuator System for a Neural Interventional Robot, 31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society - EMBC 2009, Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 2009 (accepted).
- Cole G, Pilitsis J, Fischer GS, Design of a Robotic System for MRI-Guided Deep Brain Stimulation Electrode Placement, International Conference on Robotics and Automation - ICRA 2009, Kobe, Japan, May 2009.
