Electron spin resonance (ESR) probe for interventional MRI instrument localization

Area of Science:

• Medical imaging
• Biomedical engineering
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Background:

• Accurate localization of surgical instruments during MRI-guided procedures is crucial for patient safety and treatment efficacy.
• Existing methods for instrument tracking may have limitations in terms of size, accuracy, or compatibility with MRI environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a miniaturized electron spin resonance (ESR) probe for precise positioning of surgical instruments within MR images.
• To assess the feasibility of integrating the ESR probe into standard biopsy needles for real-time tracking.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a miniaturized ESR probe designed to fit within a 14-G biopsy needle sheath.
• Utilizing a simple gradient sequence in MRI to acquire position information from the ESR probe.
• Estimating position accuracy by comparing inferred needle trajectories (from needle artifact and physical trajectory) with measured coordinates.

Main Results:

• The developed ESR probe successfully fit within a 14-G biopsy needle sheath.
• Position information of the needle sheath was acquired using a simple gradient sequence.
• The probe demonstrated rapid (10 samples/sec) and precise tracking of a biopsy needle tip, with accuracy better than +/-2 mm.

Conclusions:

• A miniaturized ESR probe can be effectively used for deducing the position of surgical instruments on MR images.
• The developed probe offers a viable solution for precise, real-time tracking of biopsy needles during MRI-guided interventions.
• This technology has the potential to enhance the safety and accuracy of minimally invasive surgical procedures.