[MR-track pointer. A reusable device for localization during interventions].
OBJECTIVE
Development of an helpful instrument for a better planning and orientation during MR guided interventions.


METHODS
We developed a reusable, sterilizable instrument that can be filled both with a solution of Gd-DTPA (1%) and with a sodium chloride solution (0.9%). The pointer has a diameter of 3 and 5 mm resp. and its length is 100-150 mm. The instrument can be combined with an interactive stereotactic tracking device.


RESULTS
The MR-Track-Pointer can be fixed to the two handpieces of the integrated interactive tracking system without problems. The pointer can be seen both on T1w and T2w sequences inside and outside of the tissue. This new instrument can be interactively used for reliable planning the biopsy trajectory, planning craniotomies and identifying structures which are only visible on MR images.


CONCLUSIONS
The MR-Track-Pointer is an ideal supplement for the integrated virtual tracking system. It permits a minimal invasive orientation and facilitates the exact localisation of suspect lesions in sensible regions during MR guided interventions, e.g. diagnostic biopsies and tumour resections.
Schulz
T
T
Klinik und Poliklinik für Diagnostische Radiologie, Universität Leipzig. schuth@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Schneider
J P
JP
Winkel
A
A
Daum
W
W
Trantakis
C
C
Bootz
F
F
Laufer
M
M
Dietrich
J
J
Schmidt
F
F
D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D004867:Equipment Design; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D014584:User-Computer Interface
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA