Adam Christian Waspe1,2, Anthony Chau1,
Rajiv Chopra1,2, Kullervo Hynynen1,2
1Imaging Research Discipline,
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 2Department
of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
An
MR-compatible system was developed for performing focused-ultrasound exposures
in preclinical models. A focused-ultrasound transducer attaches to the
positioning system and is submerged within a closed water tank. Sonicating a
phantom and measuring the thermal focal zone registers ultrasound and MRI
coordinates. For each axis, a 5 cm travel and 0.1 mm positioning resolution
was achieved. The system was constructed with non-magnetic components and
operation of the focused-ultrasound system within the bore during imaging did
not result in any mutual interference. This system is used to study the
applications of ultrasound energy for novel therapeutic applications in
preclinical animal models.