MRI- and ultrasound-guided noninvasive brain tumor ablation
Transcranial MRI- and Ultrasound- guided histotripsy (tcMR-USgHt) system
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11259569
A device that uses MRI and focused ultrasound pulses to noninvasively break up brain tumors for people with primary or metastatic brain tumors.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11259569 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project is building a system that combines MRI imaging with a focused ultrasound technique called histotripsy to target and mechanically destroy tumor tissue inside the skull without open surgery. The approach uses microsecond ultrasound pulses to create tiny cavitation bubbles that fragment the tumor while using a very low duty cycle to limit skull heating. MRI methods will guide targeting and monitor safety during treatment, and the team has already tested the device in pig brains through an excised human skull and in human cadavers. Over the grant period the researchers will refine the 700 kHz, 360-element transcranial array and prepare the system for eventual testing in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with localized primary brain tumors or brain metastases who want a noninvasive treatment option and meet imaging and skull-transmission safety criteria would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with widely infiltrative tumors, lesions too close to critical brain structures, or skulls that strongly block ultrasound may not be helped by this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a safe, noninvasive alternative to craniotomy that reduces recovery time and complications for people with brain tumors.
How similar studies have performed: MRI-guided focused ultrasound has clinical success for some brain conditions, but histotripsy is a newer mechanical-ablation method with promising animal and cadaver results and limited human experience so far.
Where this research is happening
ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR — ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: XU, ZHEN — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- Study coordinator: XU, ZHEN
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.