Utilization of laser interstitial thermotherapy guided with real time thermal MRI

1. A method for applying thermal energy to a target tissue in a region of interest, the method comprising:

coupling a plurality of fiducial markers to tissue proximal to the region of interest;

obtaining a magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the region of interest;

registering the plurality of fiducial markers with a stereotactic image guidance system;

verifying surface accuracy of the stereotactic image guidance system;

inserting an MRI-compatible instrument into the region of interest;

verifying sub-surface accuracy of the stereotactic image guidance system;

inserting a laser fiber into the target tissue in the region of interest;

applying thermal energy to the target tissue; and

monitoring temperature in the target tissue and the region of interest, wherein the MRI-compatible instrument is a needle comprising a removable trocar and wherein the method further comprises:

removing the removable trocar from the needle and inserting a wire through the needle; and

inserting a cannula over the wire, wherein inserting a laser fiber into the target tissue in the region of interest comprises inserting the laser fiber through the cannula.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the target tissue is a tumor.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the region of interest is proximal to a spinal cord, an eye, or a lung.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the region of interest comprises the dura mater.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein a portion of the plurality of fiducial markers each comprise an aperture and wherein the method further comprises marking locations of each aperture on epidermal tissue proximal to the region of interest.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein verifying the surface accuracy of the stereotactic image guidance system comprises touching a second instrument to epidermal tissue proximal to the region of interest.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the laser fiber has a diameter of less than 2.0 mm.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the laser fiber comprises silica fiberoptic wire.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the laser fiber is coupled to a laser generator configured to generate electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 600 and 1200 nm.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein monitoring temperature in the target tissue and the region of interest comprises an application of magnetic resonance thermography.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising increasing oxygen levels in blood of the patient prior to applying thermal energy to the target tissue.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising holding mechanical ventilation while monitoring temperature in the target tissue and the region of interest.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically stopping application of thermal energy to the target tissue if a temperature in the target tissue or a temperature in the region of interest reach a predetermined value.

14. A method for applying thermal energy to a target tissue in a region of interest, the method comprising:

coupling a plurality of fiducial markers to tissue proximal to the region of interest;

obtaining a magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the region of interest;

registering the plurality of fiducial markers with a stereotactic image guidance system;

verifying surface accuracy of the stereotactic image guidance system;

inserting an MRI-compatible instrument into the region of interest;

verifying sub-surface accuracy of the stereotactic image guidance system;

inserting a laser fiber into the target tissue in the region of interest;

applying thermal energy to the target tissue; and

monitoring temperature in the target tissue and the region of interest, wherein coupling the plurality of fiducial markers to tissue proximal to the region of interest comprises applying an adhesive sheet to epidermal tissue and wherein the method further comprises removing a portion of the adhesive sheet prior to inserting the MRI-compatible instrument into the region of interest.