Simple methods to test the accuracy of MRgFUS robotic systems

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Medical Imaging
• Ultrasound Technology

Background:

• Clinical certification of robotic-assisted diagnostic and therapeutic systems demands high accuracy.
• Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) systems require precise motion control for safe and effective application.
• Evaluating the motion accuracy of MRgFUS robotic systems is crucial for their development and deployment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present three straightforward methods for assessing the motion accuracy of MRgFUS robotic systems.
• To validate these methods for preclinical MRgFUS robotic systems.
• To establish a standard for evaluating MRgFUS robotic system accuracy.

Main Methods:

• A 4 degrees of freedom robotic system for preclinical MRgFUS was evaluated.
• Motion accuracy was assessed using caliper-based measurements and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Visual inspection through multiple ablations on a plastic film was also employed.

Main Results:

• Benchtop evaluations demonstrated high accuracy across all operational axes of the robotic system.
• Spatial positioning errors determined by MRI were comparable to the imaging pixel size.
• Observed lesion patterns, both discrete and overlapping, indicated satisfactory alignment of motion trajectories.

Conclusions:

• The presented methods provide a reliable means to evaluate the motion accuracy of MRgFUS robotic systems.
• These techniques are suitable for assessing systems intended for preclinical research.
• Adoption of these methods can contribute to establishing industry standards for MRgFUS robotic system performance.