MR Guided Focused Ultrasound

MR Guided Focused Ultrasound

Noninvasive Outpatient Surgical Alternative

MR Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS), exclusive to GE MR systems, is achieved through a partnership between GE MR and InSightec’s ExAblate 2000, an innovative technology that engages high intensity ultrasound beams to heat and destroy fibroid tissue. This groundbreaking non-invasive surgical solution engages MR to visualize patient anatomy, map the volume of fibroid tissue to be treated, and monitor the temperature of the uterine tissue after heating.

Benefits:

  • Incisionless thermal ablation of soft tissue.
  • Integrated MR imaging for treatment planning.
  • Real time visualization, monitoring, and control of treatment.
  • No ionizing radiation, means repeatable treatments.


Unique clinical advantages:

  • MR imaging supercedes ultrasound imaging by its superior tissue differentiation. This enables the physician to identify the tumor and surrounding organs with high precision.
  • MR is the only imaging modality that allows temperature changes in the body to be monitored.
  • There is no radiation involved with MR images.
  • MR images can allow the doctor to see the difference between treated and non-treated tissue.
  • MR images enable the physician to obtain a three dimensional image of the target.
  • MR anatomical and thermal images are updated in real time throughout the treatment.


Clinical Results

Clinical Results


  • Control screen with T2w sagittal planning image with thermal spots, temperature maps, treatment parameters and temperature graph.
  • T2w sagittal image after 6 months
  • Post treatment T1w sagittal CE
  • T1w sagittal contrast enhanced image 6 months after treatment


Uterine Fibroid Treatment Comparison

 
Hysterectomy
Myomectomy
Uterine Artery Embolization
MRgFUS
Return to Normal Activity
28-56 Days
44 Days
10 Days
1 Day
Hospital Days
2-5 Days
1-3 Days
1 Day
0
Surgery Time
1.5-3.0 Hours
1-3Hours
0.75-2 Hours
3 Hours