Comparison of split-beam transducer geometries and excitation configurations for transrectal prostate HIFU treatments

摘要

Six split-beam transducer configurations have been examined using computer simulations and in-vitro experiments. The goal of this study was to identify a simple split-beam transducer configuration capable of reducing transrectal HIFU prostate cancer treatment time without sacrificing treatment safety and efficacy. Lesion volume, lesion and rectal wall temperatures, sonication ON/OFF time, and total acoustic power parameters were used as comparison criteria. The most promising split-beam configuration generates necrosed tissue volumes 5 times larger than the single-element transducer with the same sonication time, while keeping maximum focal zone temperatures below 90°C. These parameters yield approximate overall treatment time reductions by a factor of 1.85 as compared to single-element transrectal HIFU PC treatments, mainly due to longer tissue cooling time required to maintain current safety levels.