MRI-Compatible Endovascular Instruments: Improved Maneuverability during Navigation

Endovascular diagnostics and interventions are performed using long, thin and flexible instruments that are inserted in the blood vessel and manipulated toward a target in the vasculature. This technique has proven to be successful with the millions of patients diagnosed and treated worldwide every year. Though, this technique presents several drawbacks: the tools are limited in shape and flexibility and are difficult to control and, as endovascular interventions are performed under 2D projection X-ray image guidance, any difficulty in navigating the instruments increases exposure of patient and staff to ionizing radiation. In this thesis, we focus on the navigation challenges during procedures performed in the peripheral vasculature. It is imperative to reach the target in the anatomy quickly and safely, while protecting both the patient and staff from ionizing radiation. For this reason, navigation under Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is considered. In this project, novel endovascular instruments with improved maneuverability at the tip were designed to support navigation during endovascular intervention in the peripheral vascular tree under real-time MRI guidance. The instruments were assembled, and their capabilities evaluated in pre-clinical settings. We believe that the designed instruments are a good first step toward novel easy-to-use endovascular instruments, which will enable interventionalists to perform a broader range of interventions more quickly, safely and with greater accuracy under MRI-guidance (or X-ray). Fully compatible with conventional instruments, they will increase the efficiency of cath-labs without requiring the purchase of additional equipment