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HIFU is a non-invasive acoustic ablation technique that uses intersecting, precision- focused ultrasound waves to target tissue in the prostate. It raises the temperature of the target tissue to 100 degrees Celsius and destroys the targeted tissue at the focal intersection. There is rapid heat dissipation past the focal point.
HIFU is an external high energy ultrasound beam precisely focused on a tumor target. Acoustic focusing occurs at a point where multiple beams converge. Tissue effects are a function of frequency (or wavelength) and more importantly: Energy Intensity. Frequency is set at 4 MHz. Energy Intensity is determined by input excitation voltage and duration of energy pulse. These are easily adjustable.
Focused Ultrasound Advantages
- Tissue in the region of the focal zone where the sound waves converge can be subjected to significantly higher energy levels than intervening tissues.
- Energy at the source (transducer) is low density. This spares the rectal wall.
- Energy at the focal zone (target) undergoes rapid heating and ablation. Which is the overall prostate cancer treatment strategy with HIFU.
- Tightly focused high intensity ultrasonic energy on a small volume of tissue for short bursts of time (3 sec).
- Individual differences in energy attenuation, absorption and cooling can be monitored visually and power levels customized.
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