Patient-specific Disposable Needle Guide: Alternative to In-bore Robotics for MRI-guided transperineal prostate biopsy

Harmonus, Inc., Lowell MA

Investigators

Abstract

? DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Harmonus Inc. is proposing to develop a patient­specific disposable tool for directing needle entry during MRI­guided prostate biopy. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Over 225,000 cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2014 with almost 30,000 deaths. Prostate cancer is treatable, if properly diagnosed. By accurately targeting MRI­visible regions suspected of containing cancer, our system will improve the ability to find life­threatening tumors and reducethe chance of unnecessarily treating low­risk cases compared to current methods. Fabrication will be based on a rapid, precision machine for creating the guide from a sterile ki. In Phase I we will (I) Develop and demonstrate our novel method for producing the guides and (2) Verify that the manufacturing process maintains sterility of the guide. The product, after successful applications in biopsies, can be extended for use in other MRI­guided procedures and treatments for prostate cancer.