Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.V.

Mri Devices Daum Gmbh

Invivo Germany Gmbh

Axel Winkel

Wolfgang Daum

An MR-guided biopsy, for example, prostate biopsy, is performed by a mechanical tool for stabilizing the patient in prone position and for guiding the biopsy needle into defined targeted lesions in the prostate gland. The patient can lay prone in the MRI. The apparatus can guide an MR-visible, sterile needle sleeve, which can have a hollow tube filled with contrast media, through the anus onto the inner wall of the colon. Due to the visibility of the contrast media in the sleeve, the apparatus can be guided to the exact position. The sleeve can incorporate a tube within the contrast media filled sleeve to insert the biopsy needle and to push this needle forward into the prostate. The apparatus can utilize various mechanical mechanisms to stereotactically move the needle or needle sleeve in various directions.

Method and apparatus for MR-guided biopsy

The subject invention pertains to a device for inserting medical instruments into the human body. In a specific embodiment, the subject device can be made from a material which is invisible under Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The subject device can incorporate three or more MRI compatible marks. The imaging of these three or more markers can allow the determination of the orientation of the device. A virtual image of the device can then be shown in an MRI image.

Navigation of medical instrument

The subject invention pertains instruments for use in nuclear spin tomography comprising a metal alloy comprising aluminum, vanadium, and titanium. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention relates to cardiovascular stents which can exhibit a low incidence of artifacts and are viewable in a nuclear spin tomography unit. The subject invention also pertains to a method for processing instruments for use in nuclear spin tomography. Such processing can comprise application of a wet chemical etching solution. In a specific embodiment, the wet chemical etching solution can comprise three parts hydrochloric acid and two parts saltpeter acid.

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Schwerin, Germany

Axel Winkel