Donald W. McRobbie

Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Donald W. McRobbie is a pioneering figure in the field of interventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with a focused expertise in developing robotic systems for MR-guided prostate biopsy. His major contributions center on overcoming the formidable technical challenges of operating robotic devices within the high-field environment of a closed-bore MRI scanner. Notably, his 2006 paper, "The Feasibility of MR-Image Guided Prostate Biopsy Using Piezoceramic Motors Inside or Near to the Magnet Isocentre" (46 citations), established the foundational proof-of-concept for using non-ferromagnetic piezoceramic motors to perform precise interventions directly within the scanner's bore. Building on this, his 2010 work, "Robotic System for Transrectal Biopsy of the Prostate: Real-Time Guidance Under MRI" (32 citations), introduced a complete robotic system capable of real-time needle tracking within a 1.5-T scanner, utilizing a specially developed MR pulse sequence to dynamically update needle location. This work represents a significant leap toward safer, more accurate, and less invasive prostate cancer diagnostics. With over 40 citations on his foundational feasibility study, McRobbie's research has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of MR-compatible robotics, directly influencing the development of clinical systems that enhance diagnostic precision and patient outcomes in image-guided interventions.