SU‐E‐J‐03: Characterization of the Precision and Accuracy of a New, Preclinical, MRI‐Guided Focused Ultrasound System for Image‐Guided Interventions in Small‐Bore, High‐Field Magnets

Abstract

Purpose:MRI‐guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) has many potential and realized applications including controlled heating and localized drug delivery. The development of many of these applications requires extensive preclinical work, much of it in small animal models. The goal of this study is to characterize the spatial targeting accuracy and reproducibility of a preclinical high field MRgFUS system for thermal ablation and drug delivery applications.Methods:The RK300 (FUS Instruments, Toronto, Canada) is a motorized, 2‐axis FUS positioning system suitable for small bore (72 mm), high‐field MRI systems. The accuracy of the system was assessed in three ways. First, the precision of the system was assessed by sonicating regular grids of 5 mm squares on polystyrene plates and comparing the resulting focal dimples to the intended pattern, thereby assessing the reproducibility and precision of the motion control alone. Second, the targeting accuracy was assessed by imaging a polystyrene plate with randomly drilled holes and replicating the hole pattern by sonicating the observed hole locations on intact polystyrene plates and comparing the results. Third, the practicallyrealizable accuracy and precision were assessed by comparing the locations of transcranial, FUS‐induced blood‐brain‐barrier disruption (BBBD) (observed through Gadolinium enhancement) to the intended targets in a retrospective analysis of animals sonicated for other experiments.Results:The evenly‐spaced grids indicated that the precision was 0.11 +/− 0.05 mm. When image‐guidance was included by targeting random locations, the accuracy was 0.5 +/− 0.2 mm. The effective accuracy in the four rodent brains assessed was 0.8 +/− 0.6 mm. In all cases, the error appeared normally distributed (p<0.05) in both orthogonal axes, though the left/right error was systematically greater than the superior/inferior error. Conclusions: The targeting accuracy of this device is sub‐millimeter, suitable for many preclinical applications including focused drug delivery and thermal therapy.Funding support provided by Philips Healthcare