The role of three-dimensional printing in magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives: This article describes novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible focused ultrasound robotic systems and agar-based MRI-compatible ultrasonic phantoms mimicking bone. Materials and Methods: All the robotic systems and phantoms were developed using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology using plastic material. The tissue surrounding the bone in the phantoms was mimicked using agar-based solutions. Results: The article presents MRI-guided focused ultrasound robotic systems for brain, prostate, and gynecological targets. It also reports on MRI-compatible ultrasonic phantoms for brain, breast, bone, and motion. Conclusions: The popular 3D printing technology serves a major role in MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery because MRI-guided focused ultrasound robotic systems can be developed. In addition, 3D printing can be used to develop MR-compatible phantoms that include bone structures for testing the safety and efficacy of focused ultrasound applications. All the developed structures have been evaluated in MRI environment using either mimicking materials or animals.