Introducing 1,5 T MRgFUS

Abstract

MRgFUS is a new noninvasive thermal ablation method, consisting of a high focused ultrasound beam and a MR scanner for imaging and real-time thermal mapping. For decades, therapeutic transcranial ultrasound (tcMRgFUS) was assumed impossible. Novel technology using high-power phased array transducers and multiple channel driving electronics enabled a sharp focal point in the planned target through the intact skull allowing the use of this innovative technology for functional neurosurgery. Preliminary results have been published with systems operating with 3T MR units on patients with neurologic disorders such as essential tremor, tremor dominant idiopathic Parkinson's disease and neuropathic pain. In this talk the preliminary results achieved with the world-first tcMRgFUS system operating with a 1,5T MR (first Italian tcMRgFUS installation ever) will be presented.