A physician and an ultrasound technician first locate the tumor tissues and define the area to be treated by using the ultrasound imaging system.
The computer uses the physician’s input to plan the best way to target and ablate the tumor.
During the treatment, the HIFU system automatically moves and ablates the targeted zone until the entire defined area has been treated.
Each individual high-energy focused ultrasonic shot ablates an oval-shaped targeted zone measuring up to 3mm x 3mm x 10mm.
The treatment produces almost instaneous coagulative necrosis of tissues in the individual targeted zone due to an increase in temperature to between 60°C and 70°C (140°F and 158°F).
The treatment duration and the number of treatment sessions vary according to the size of the tumor. For example, for a single four centimeter tumor, four to five sessions are usually performed on different days, with each treatment session lasting approximately half an hour.
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