Multiple Tissue Sample Collection Device for MRI Guided Transrectal Prostate Biopsy: Optimization and MRI Compatibility Tests

Biopsies are one of the most common ways to diagnose and make a prognosis of prostate cancer. Transrectal and Transperineal approaches are used to access the prostate for biopsy. Advancements in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offer a clear visualization of soft tissues and improved volumetric clarity. Real time MRI guidance can significantly change the paradigm of soft tissue biopsy. Proposed is a device with the ability to collect the tissue samples taken by a biopsy needle during an MRI guided Prostate biopsy and store them temporarily. This could help avoid interruption during the process and make the entire process teleoperated. The proposed design consists of a double layer of paper, rolling over a set of pulleys. Paper collects and stores the core tissue sample. Experiments have been performed to optimize paper tension, speed, and size. Tissue collection performance improvement is noticed with optimum paper tension, speed, and size. A test has also been performed in an MRI environment to check MR compatibility of the device. The device is MRI conditional and demonstrates a maximum of 13.1% SNR reduction in MR images. The proposed device exhibits the potential to be integrated with an MRI safe or conditional robotic manipulator for real time MRI guided Prostate biopsy.

Automated summary

Biopsies are a common method for diagnosing and prognosing prostate cancer, and advancements in MRI technology have allowed for real-time guidance during the biopsy process. A proposed device aims to collect and temporarily store tissue samples taken during an MRI-guided prostate biopsy, potentially enabling a teleoperated and uninterrupted procedure. The device, made of a double layer of paper, has been tested and optimized for tissue collection performance, as well as MRI compatibility. It shows potential for integration with an MRI-safe or conditional robotic manipulator for real-time MRI-guided prostate biopsy.