Specializing in non-invasive HIFU for prostate cancer.
WHAT IS HIFU?
HIFU, which stands for high intensity focused ultrasound, is a method of focusing sound waves to create heat at a specific point away from the energy source; this point is called the focal point.
When HIFU energy is delivered to a specific location within the body, the tissue temperature at the focal point is elevated to nearly 195 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of seconds, resulting in tissue destruction, while the tissue outside the focal point remains unharmed.
Animation shows how HIFU is delivered to the prostate to create small lesions at the focal point where that is a rapid elevation in heat.
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AIM
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A small probe is placed in the rectum in order to capture real-time images of the prostate gland. A transducer moves robotically in the probe tip so the probe is never moved during HIFU.
The physician maps out a persnalized treatment plan for each patient creating treatment zones in order to ablate all or some of the prostate depending on diagnosis.
Ultrasound energy is focused to the prostate according to physician plan. At each focal point a small lesion is formed where tissue is destroyed. These lesions are places side by side until treatment is complete.
HOW DOES HIFU TREAT PROSTATE CANCER?
When it comes to treating the prostate, a physician uses a state-of-the-art medical device called a Sonablate to deliver HIFU enegry directly to focal points within the prostate in order to destroy tissue and eliminate the cancer.
The HIFU energy is delivered by a transducer in a transrectal probe, so there is no incision or blood loss during a Sonablate HIFU procedure.