Active biplanar MR tracking for biopsies in humans.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of active biplanar MR needle tracking in a 0.5-T open-configuration MR system. A needle design characterized by an integrated internal signal source was used. To evaluate the performance of this new technique in vivo as well as in vitro, procedures were performed on patients. CONCLUSION The results of this study prove that the biplanar tracking concept can be applied in a clinical environment. The applicability of biplanar tracking is further enhanced by integrating an internal signal source.