SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Project Summary/Abstract Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), in collaboration with the Department of Radiology at Brigham and Womenandapos;s Hospital (BWH), proposes to develop an automated Smart Multi-grid-guidance Template (SMT) technology that will enable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided transperineal focal therapy improvement of prostate cancer (PCa). Focal therapy that targets localized PCa lesions is a growing therapeutic option for PCa patients with unifocal, low- and intermediate-risk cancer. Various energy therapy modalities, such as cryoablation, laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation, high-intensity focused ultrasound, have been clinically investigated with regards to improving post-treatment preservation of sexual and urinary function while focally treating PCa. Although these PCa focal therapy modalities have widely been utilized in conjunction with the imaging- guided approaches for precise localization of PCa lesions, accurate placement of the therapy needles within the PCa lesions remains a major challenging problem in improving the PCa therapy success rate. Therefore, there is a clinical need for a technology that can provide highly accurate placement of multiple therapy needles onto the targeted PCa lesions during focal therapy. During Phase I, PSI/BWH team will focus on the validation of the potential impact of the SMT system on focal cryoablation therapy. A preclinical prototype of the SMT system will be developed, optimized on a prostate phantom, and then its accuracy for needle placement will be tested ex vivo on excised animal prostate glands. Additionally, its capability to provide real- time needle monitoring and accurate placement of multiple therapy needles will be evaluated in vivo on a large animal model during MRI-guided focal cryoablation procedures. Based on the Phase I results and conclusions, a robust SMT system with improved performance for clinical use in various focal therapy modalities will be proposed to be developed and validated on human patients in Phase II.Project Narrative The central focus of this project is to improve the therapeutic accuracy of MRI-guided transperineal focal treatment in prostate cancer by providing precise therapy needle placement using a Smart Multi-grid Template technology. The proposed device will improve the prostate cancer therapy success rate, reduce the risk of overtreatment for early-stage prostate cancer, and ultimately improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
