MRI-guided robotic prostate biopsy and brachytherapy: update from the EU funded CoBra Project

The Interreg 2 Seas (EU)-funded CoBra research initiative is a five year project to develop a novel device for MR-guided robotic biopsy and brachytherapy for prostate cancer. We report on research achievements at two years into the work. We present details from several of the work packages: 1) MRI-safe I-125 seed delivery module, based on Piezoelectric motors, and evaluation of MR seed artefact in the closed loop control of the MR-guided robot; 2) MRI-safe pneumatic biopsy system; 3) novel steerable needles developed to improve access to all parts of the prostate; 4) prototype trajectory planning for ideal needle paths from an optimal number of insertion points; and 5) phantoms designed to test MR image quality in the presence of needles and seeds.