# Augmented Reality Real-Time Guidance for MRI-Guided Interventions

> **NIH NIH R44** · CLEAR GUIDE MEDICAL, INC. · 2022 · $1,561,929

## Abstract

Project Summary
The objective of this proposal is to move into clinical practice the result of a preceding Phase I project, a compact
instrument guidance system that allows physicians to see instruments advancing through an MRI volume without
utilizing special needles, special headgear or calibration steps. MRI-guidance has been used for percutaneous
needle injections to diagnose and treat neuropathic pain, perform needle biopsy, drainage, tumor ablation, and
other clinical indications. In a pediatric setting, there is a preference for MR and ultrasound over CT and X-ray
imaging because no ionizing radiation is emitted. Further, MR images are better for visualization of MSK soft
tissue and bone lesions and would be preferred by clinicians but for the length of time to perform real-time needle
insertions under MR guidance, and the poor ergonomics of in-bore insertions.
Accurate and rapid diagnosis of bone tumors and other suspicious bone lesions in children is essential to
appropriate clinical management. Bone biopsy procedures in children require higher targeting precision and
accuracy due to their smaller sizes. MRI-guided bone biopsy is not routinely used because of current limitations
in tools and technology. The “advance and check” technique whereby the needle trajectory is guided/monitored
by intermediate scans has been translated from the CT environment, but this technique works well in the CT
environment because of quick image acquisitions and short scanner bores. It is much more time consuming and
much less convenient in the MRI environment. The overall objective of this Phase II effort is to adapt the
technologies developed in the phase I to assist clinicians in accurate and fast image-guided instrument
placement when using only MRI scans. The proposed navigation system for MRI-guided interventions will
improve the standard of care by using computer vision and hardware advances to become a nearly hands-off
companion device to the operator, automatically performing many steps which currently require user input. The
LUMENA system projects the guidance feedback directly onto the intervention site as well as on a monitor. This
approach allows the interventionalist to keep their focus on the insertion site instead of the monitor which is often
not in front of them. The projected feedback is simple to follow and can be easily understood which makes the
system intuitive with almost no learning curve. By making MRI-guided biopsies faster, the societal impact of the
device is that it will allow more interventional procedures to be performed under MR-guidance, reducing ionizing
radiation for patients and physicians alike.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10603043
- **Project number:** 2R44EB028722-02A1
- **Recipient organization:** CLEAR GUIDE MEDICAL, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Purnima Rajan
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $1,561,929
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2020-09-16 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10603043

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10603043, Augmented Reality Real-Time Guidance for MRI-Guided Interventions (2R44EB028722-02A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10603043. Licensed CC0.

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