CT guidance technology for percutaneous instrument insertion and ablation volume validation.

We are looking to procure a technology that will support Interventional Radiologists:<br/>To plan tumour targets and surrounding safety margins with computer assistance.<br/>To place applicators, e.g. ablation and biopsy needles, precisely.<br/>To adjust treatment and ablation parameters by computer assistance and verification of applicator position.<br/>Validate treatment success by computer assisted fusion of pre- and postoperative CT images allowing for validation of the effective ablation volume relative to the originally planned volume and assisting in the decision to immediately re-treat if necessary.<br/>The system must provide the following:<br/>1. Access lesions not visible on USS.<br/>2. Access lesions in difficult anatomical locations e.g. close to blood vessels or other critical tissues / organs.<br/>3. Overlay previous imagery such as MRI, allowing lesions and ablation margins to be identified and visualized in CT.<br/>4. Allow instrument trajectories to be planned in 2D and 3D.<br/>5. Allow for placement of needles outside of plane.<br/>6. Provide a patient positioning and fixation system to immobilize patient during intervention<br/>7. Provide a guidance system to facilitate precise needle trajectories and final positioning using a semi-robotic arm.<br/>8. Support treatment planning by visualising desired ablation volumes and shapes.<br/>9. Allow additional scanning during placement of instruments to ensure accurate placement ahead of ablation or biopsy.<br/>10. Allow the fusion of pre- and postoperative images to allow for fast and efficient validation of the effective ablation volume relative to the plan i.e. allow the clinician to confirm that the disease has been entirely treated or allow re-positioning and re-treatment during the current procedure.<br/>11. Allow needle repositioning if areas that require further ablation are identified.<br/>12. Reduce the procedure time due to increased accuracy of needle placement.<br/>13. Reduce incomplete ablation rates leading to reduced tumour reoccurrence.