Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026
A High-Throughput Image-Guided Stereotactic Neuronavigation and Focused Ultrasound System for Blood-Brain Barrier Opening in Rodents
Published on: July 16, 2020
MRI guided focused ultrasound robotic system for animal experiments
Marinos Yiannakou1, Georgios Menikou2, Christos Yiallouras1,3
1Electrical Engineering Department, Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus.
Background:
In this paper an MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) robotic system was developed that can be used for conducting experiments in small animals.The target for this robotic system regarding motion was to move a therapeutic ultrasound transducer in two Cartesian axes.
Methods:
A single element spherically focused transducer of 3 cm diameter, focusing at 7 cm and operating at 0.4 MHz was used. The positioning device incorporates only MRI compatible materials. The propagation of ultrasound is a bottom to top approach. The 2-D positioning device is controlled by custom-made software and a custom-made electronic system which controls the two piezoelectric motors.
Results:
The system was tested successfully in agar/silica/evaporated milk phantom for various tasks (robot motion, MR compatibility, and MR thermometry). The robotic system is capable of moving the focused ultrasound transducer to perform MR-guided focused ultrasound experiments in small animals.
Conclusions:
This system has the potential to be deployed as a cost effective solution for performing experiments in small animals.
More Related Videos
07:42MRI-guided Disruption of the Blood-brain Barrier using Transcranial Focused Ultrasound in a Rat Model
Published on: March 13, 2012
08:37Focused Ultrasound Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Opening for Targeting Brain Structures and Evaluating Chemogenetic Neuromodulation
Published on: December 22, 2020