Development of a Novel Needle Guide Tool for Percutaneous Interventions with an Omnidirectional Steerable Needle during Real-Time US-Guidance

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Abstract

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a localized thermalintervention technique with the purpose to destroy small tumours (< 3 cm) byheating the tumour tissue. Due to various challenges with targeting andvisualisation during RFA, the clinical need of steerable needles is present forradiologists. Helwig, B.P. developed a new omnidirectional steerableneedle for this purpose. However, this needle is not yet ready forimplementation in the operation room (OR) because no clinical testing isperformed in vivo. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to develop a novelneedle guide tool for percutaneous interventions with an omnidirectionalsteerable needle during real-time US-guidance. In order to examine the visibility of the steerable needle,an experimental study has been conducted. The steerable needle has a promisingvisibility in Polyvinyl alcohol and is expected to be well visible duringultrasound guided interventions. The developed needle guide tool is calledUShift and provides both the benefits of needle guided puncturing and free-handpuncturing. Which are for free-hand puncturing: freedom of movement of boththe probe and needle during puncturing and for needle guided puncturing:  a shorter procedure time, reduced needle manipulation and improvedneedle visualisation. A user test is performed to verify how the needle guide isperforming compared to the currently used needle guide while hypothetical usingthe Omnidirectional steerable needle. The difference between the two puncturetechniques is 0,9 seconds, the UShift is 23% faster. In conclusion, thisproject resulted in a novel needle guide tool that can be used in combinationwith the omnidirectional steerable needle during percutaneous interventions.The UShift has great benefits compared to currently used needle guides and istherefore stated as innovative. More gain is to be expected through future researchconcerning production methods, material options, the cost-effectiveness andother application fields of the UShift.