Steffi Valdeig1, Barry Fetics2,
Li Pan, 1,3, Clifford R. Weiss1, Erez Nevo2,
Dara L. Kraitchman1, Frank K. Wacker1
1Department of Radiology and
Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States;
2Robin Medical Inc., Baltimore, MD, United States; 3Center
for Applied Medical Imaging, Siemens Corporation, Corporate Research,
Baltimore, MD, United States
Purpose:
To test the feasibility and accuracy of a tool that allows for interactive
adjustments of the needle plane during a MR guided puncture Method:
Experiments were performed in vivo and in phantoms using a gradient based
navigation system for real time MR guided punctures in a wide bore MR imager.
To assess for accuracy of the system the distance of the needle tip (virtual
and real) to the target was determined on MR control scans. Result: The mean
3D total error was 4.9 2.8mm in the phantom. The system error was less than
2 mm. In the animal, successful punctures of the target structures could be
confirmed in all punctures. Conclusion: The combination of image overlay with
real time adjustment of the virtual needle and real-time imaging feedback
provides an accurate and intuitive means to perform percutaneous
interventions in a wide bore MR imager.