Ultrasound Platforms
MRI-Fusion Biopsy Rental Service
AI-guided targeted prostate biopsy fusing multi-parametric MRI with real-time ultrasound - equipment, clinical technician and consumables, per case or contracted.
- Modality
- mpMRI + ultrasound fusion
- Booking
- Per case or contracted
- In theatre
- Clinical technician
What it is
MRI-Fusion biopsy combines a previously acquired multi-parametric MRI of the prostate with real-time ultrasound imaging during a transperineal biopsy, allowing precise targeting of MRI-identified suspicious lesions. AI-based prostate segmentation and target mapping overlay the MRI dataset onto the live ultrasound image, guiding the needle to specific zones identified on the diagnostic scan. The approach delivers more accurate sampling of clinically significant lesions than systematic biopsy alone.
The technique is increasingly adopted in UK private prostate cancer pathways as the diagnostic standard for patients with MRI-identified lesions. It pairs naturally with a transperineal access route, sharing equipment, technique and clinical workflow with standard LATP, while adding the targeted lesion-sampling capability. For hospitals already running an LATP service, MRI-Fusion is the natural next layer - the same patient pathway, with more precise targeting for selected cases.
What’s included in our MRI-Fusion service
- 01
Equipment
Esaote MyLab E85 GTS Edition ultrasound platform with UroFusion AI-guided fusion software, transrectal urology probe, and a compatible stepper-stabiliser system for transperineal needle guidance.
- 02
Clinical Technician
A urology-trained technician on every case, supporting your surgeon and theatre team throughout the procedure.
- 03
Consumables
Biopsy needles, needle guides, biopsy gun, sterile probe covers, gel and the direct procedure consumables for each case.
- 04
Flexible Pricing
Per-procedure or contract pricing. No minimum commitment on per-procedure. We tailor the structure to your case volume.
- 05
Hassle-Free Logistics
We deliver, set up and collect - your team focuses on the procedure.
- 06
Indemnity
Full clinical indemnity cover for every case.
Why Urolase for MRI-Fusion
MRI-Fusion is a step up in targeting precision over systematic biopsy - and a specialist capability that few UK private hospitals currently offer. The Esaote MyLab E85 platform with UroFusion brings AI-guided fusion biopsy to your service without the capital outlay of a specialist ultrasound platform. Equipment, software, clinical technician and consumables arrive on a per-case basis so your service can launch as soon as the clinical pathway is ready.
Two things that matter for your service:
Among the fastest fusion workflows on the market.
The Esaote UroFusion system uses AI-driven AutoSYNC and automatic synchronisation via 3D camera. The setup workflow is faster than fusion systems requiring manual registration, and AI-based prostate segmentation reduces preparation time before each case.
Extension of your LATP service.
For hospitals already running an LATP service through Urolase, adding MRI-Fusion uses the same patient pathway, the same delivery logistics, the same technician and clinic-based delivery model. One supplier, one contract, two complementary services.
The MRI-Fusion Imaging Workflow
MRI-Fusion biopsy isn't just equipment - it's an imaging pathway. Our service handles the workflow from MRI interpretation to ready-for-procedure data, so your case runs smoothly from the moment the patient arrives.
We operate our own PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System). On contract start, we connect your hospital's PACS directly to ours so imaging can be pushed straight across - no manual transfers, no email attachments. The pathway is fully compliant with GDPR and UK health data governance requirements.
Every MRI in our pathway is reported by Dr Olly Hulson, consultant radiologist who specialises in prostate mpMRI and performs biopsies himself. Reports include lesion identification, PI-RADS scoring, and target marking, ready for fusion, with a standard turnaround of 72 hours. Because the same clinician reports the scan and understands the biopsy, the targets you receive are drawn with the procedure in mind, not just the diagnosis.
- 01
MRI Reported and Targets Marked
Once the multi-parametric MRI is pushed to our PACS, it is reported by consultant radiologist, Dr Olly Hulson. Lesions are identified, PI-RADS scored, and targets marked directly onto the dataset.
- 02
Pre-Procedure Data Loading
The reported MRI and target data is loaded onto the Esaote system before your case, with AI-driven prostate segmentation completed in advance.
- 03
Procedure
The technician arrives with the system calibrated and the MRI ready to fuse. Your surgeon can target identified lesions from the first needle pass.
- 04
Post-Procedure Report
An automated comprehensive biopsy report is generated by the platform, ready for hand-off to your wider clinical record.
Clinical Evidence
Over the last decade, multi-parametric MRI before biopsy and targeted biopsy of MRI-identified lesions has become the standard diagnostic pathway for clinically significant prostate cancer. NICE guideline NG131 (Prostate cancer: diagnosis and management) recommends mpMRI as the first-line investigation in men with suspected prostate cancer, with targeted biopsy of suspicious lesions. The European Association of Urology (EAU) and other major bodies make similar recommendations.
The landmark PRECISION trial (Kasivisvanathan et al., NEJM 2018) randomised 500 men with clinical suspicion of prostate cancer to either MRI-targeted biopsy or standard TRUS biopsy. MRI-targeted biopsy detected clinically significant prostate cancer in 38% of men versus 26% with standard biopsy (adjusted difference 12%, P=0.005 for superiority). The MRI pathway also identified fewer clinically insignificant cancers (9% vs 22%), reducing overdiagnosis and the downstream costs of monitoring or treating men whose cancers wouldn't have caused harm.
MRI-Fusion biopsy uses software to overlay the MRI dataset onto the live ultrasound image, allowing the clinician to navigate to the marked lesion in real time. This is more accurate than cognitive targeting - where the clinician memorises the MRI image and aims for the corresponding area on ultrasound - particularly for anterior lesions and lesions in patients with complex anatomy. Combined with a transperineal access route, MRI-Fusion biopsy delivers both whole-prostate coverage and precision targeting in a single procedure.
For UK private hospitals offering prostate cancer pathway services, MRI-Fusion biopsy is the targeted-sampling complement to systematic LATP. Hospitals running LATP services who want to offer the full modern diagnostic pathway - particularly to men with MRI-identified lesions - add MRI-Fusion as the precision-targeting layer. The combination delivers both whole-prostate systematic coverage and targeted lesion sampling, matching the recommendations of NICE NG131 and the EAU.
FAQ
01What's the minimum commitment?
There's no minimum commitment on per-procedure rental - you book what you need. For hospitals with consistent volume we offer contract pricing that reduces per-case rates against a committed minimum, but per-procedure is genuinely flexible.
02What are typical lead times?
For confirmed bookings with reasonable notice, we typically deliver within a few working days. For urgent or last-minute requirements call us directly - we can often arrange same-week or short-notice cover depending on technician availability.
03Who covers indemnity?
We carry full clinical indemnity for our technicians and the operation of the equipment we supply. Your surgeons and hospital remain responsible for their own clinical decisions and conduct, as you'd expect.
04Do you provide training for our team if they're new to the procedure?
Our clinical technicians provide on-the-job orientation for theatre teams new to the technique, and they support every case directly so familiarity builds with each procedure. For more structured training pathways, we can advise on connections to manufacturer or specialist surgeon training programmes. For consultants moving to the Esaote platform from other fusion systems, or new to fusion biopsy altogether, we offer proctored sessions with Dr Olly Hulson, who performs transperineal fusion biopsies himself and has worked with Esaote's platforms.
05Can we add other services to the same contract?
Yes - many hospitals use us for multiple urology services through a single contract. Multi-procedure packages typically deliver better per-case rates and consolidate operational arrangements.
06Do you supply everything needed for MRI-Fusion biopsy?
Yes. The kit list includes the Esaote MyLab E85 GTS Edition ultrasound platform with UroFusion AI-guided fusion software, a transrectal urology probe, and a compatible stepper-stabiliser system for transperineal needle guidance. Consumables include biopsy needles, needle guides, biopsy gun, sterile probe covers and gel. We also arrange consultant radiologist MRI reporting and load all imaging onto the Esaote system before each case. Our clinical technician supports every procedure throughout.
07Which consultant radiologists report the MRIs?
MRIs are reported by Dr Olly Hulson, a consultant radiologist specialising in prostate mpMRI who also performs transperineal biopsies. Standard turnaround is 72 hours, however 24 hours can be achieved when necessary. Where your hospital already has its own prostate MRI reporting, we can work with that instead.
08How does the PACS connection work in practice?
We operate our own PACS system. At contract setup we connect your hospital's PACS to ours, allowing your team to push prostate MRIs directly to us via standard DICOM transfer protocols supported by all hospital PACS systems. Our radiologist accesses the MRI through our PACS, reports it, and the marked imagery is then loaded onto the Esaote system in time for your case. The pathway is fully compliant with GDPR and UK health data governance requirements.
09Which patients is MRI-Fusion biopsy indicated for?
MRI-Fusion biopsy is the targeted-sampling complement to systematic biopsy. NICE NG131 recommends mpMRI as the first-line investigation before biopsy in men with suspected prostate cancer; where the MRI identifies a suspicious lesion (typically PI-RADS 3, 4 or 5), MRI-Fusion biopsy targets that lesion specifically. In a typical pathway, MRI-Fusion targeted biopsy is combined with a systematic biopsy to deliver both whole-prostate coverage and precision targeting in one procedure. Patients with a negative mpMRI may be able to avoid biopsy entirely.