Sensor-guided needle placement for prostate procedures
Adaptive Percutaneous Prostate Interventions using Sensorized Needle
['FUNDING_R01'] · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · NIH-11283998
It uses a sensor-equipped needle and smart steering software to help doctors place biopsy and treatment needles more accurately for men with prostate cancer or other prostate conditions.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11283998 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you need a prostate biopsy or focal treatment, this project aims to make needle placement more accurate by using a thin needle with built-in fiber sensors that report the needle's shape in real time. The team pairs that sensorized needle with a data-driven steering algorithm (COADAP) that actively corrects for needle bending as it moves through different tissues. They will refine the hardware and software using lab tests, realistic 3-D printed tissue models, and complex-anatomy scenarios to improve reliability. The end goal is a closed-loop system where sensor feedback and smart steering help doctors reach the target with fewer passes and less tissue damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be men scheduled for image-guided prostate biopsy or focal prostate therapy, especially those treated at or referred to participating clinical centers.
Not a fit: People without prostate disease or those who require open or non-percutaneous surgery are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could mean fewer needle passes, less tissue damage, shorter procedures, and more accurate biopsies or focal treatments for prostate patients.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier phases produced a working fiber-Bragg-grating sensorized needle and steering algorithm with promising bench and model results, but the technology is still being refined for complex anatomy and routine clinical use.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TOKUDA, JUNICHI — BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: TOKUDA, JUNICHI
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.