Improving MRI-Guided Robotic Procedures for Abdominal Cancers
New Technologies for Real-Time MRI-Guided Robotic-Assisted Abdominal Interventions
This work aims to create better ways to use MRI and robots for diagnosing and treating abdominal cancers like liver cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11132687 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are working on advanced techniques that combine MRI imaging with robotic assistance to improve how doctors perform procedures for abdominal cancers. Current methods for guiding these procedures often don't show the cancer clearly enough or expose patients to radiation. Our goal is to develop a system that uses the excellent visualization of MRI, which doesn't use radiation, to guide robotic tools in real-time, even when organs are moving. This could lead to more precise biopsies and treatments like ablation, where doctors remove cancerous tissue.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with abdominal cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), who may need biopsies or focal ablation treatments, could potentially benefit from these improved procedures in the future.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are not located in the abdomen or who are not candidates for image-guided robotic interventions may not directly benefit from this specific advancement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to more accurate diagnosis and more effective, less invasive treatments for abdominal cancers, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing recovery times.
How similar studies have performed: While MRI-guided and robotic-assisted procedures exist, this work focuses on developing new technologies to overcome current limitations in real-time guidance and accuracy for abdominal interventions.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Holden H — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Wu, Holden H
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.