1. Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound
John Pfisterer
4/7/13

2. What is It
MRgFUS uses focused ultrasound guided by MRIs to destroy target cells using heat
This is accomplished without surface wounds as the US is not focused enough on the outside to do damage.
The cells are then removed by the body just as normal dead cells would be.
It is like using a magnifying glass to light a leaf on fire. If the leaf isn’t directly at the focal point it won’t be damaged.

3. History The Fry Brothers worked with the concept during the 1950s
They failed to make it useful because they did not have MRI technology to see where they were targeting.
The MRI was coupled with FUS in 1984
The first MRgFUS machine was commercialized in 1994
The MR was coupled with FUS in 1984

4. Procedure
The patient has a 3 dimensional scan taken of the target area and the US path is visualized.
A computer auto-targets the selected area and a test run is made to make sure the focus is right.
The actual treatment begins and the computer moves the US focal point to destroy all the target cells.
The procedure takes around 3 hours but varies depending on the size and placement of the target area.
About a month later the patient comes back in to make sure the body is removing the cells properly.
The type of scan depends on what and where the target is.
The US must focus on just the right point to avoid damaging good cells.
There is no recovery time

5. The beam is sent from such a wide range so that it is not focused enough until it reaches the target

6. Uses Movement Disorders Cancers Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids
Essential Tremor
Parkinson's
Cancers
Breast Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids

7. Movement Disorders
This is an example of a man who was treated with MRgFUS for ET. Medication had stopped working for him so he volunteered for the procedure.
Right before and right after the sergury.
Also since there is no radiation the procedure is repeatable without risks.

8. Cancer Breast and Prostate Cancer
Higher success rate than standard surgery in Breast Cancer
Prostate: Remove just the cancerous cells. this reduces the risk of loss of potency.
Also there is no radiation involved which helps.

9. Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids
Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids can cause pain, frequent urination, and in some cases the inability to conceive.
A hysterectomy will solve the pain and urination but will also remove any chance of having a child.
This treatment fixes the problems and allows one to have children.
A hysterectomy would remove the uterus making child birth impossible. MRgFUS just takes out the target cells which leaves childbearing as an option

10. Additional Advantages
Heals perform surgery without surface wounds.
Less risk of infection
Shorter recovery time.
Reach places within the body which are dangerous to cut into.
The patient can self monitor as they are awake the whole time.

11. References http://www.insightec.com/MRgFUS- Technology.html
fibroids.org/mr_guided.html
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