 Our
contributions
- Mechatronics
- Control and communication software
- Power electronics
- Actuator technology
- Electronic integration
HIFU devices target specific tissue within
the body using a cone of high-intensity ultrasound
waves all focused at a common point. The physician
can ‘point and shoot’ the ultrasound cone to
ablate the tissue in order to destroy a lesion
or cauterize a blood vessel, without damaging
surrounding healthy tissue.
The benefits of
HIFU especially in treating tumors is a growing
field, and Philips, supported by Philips Applied
Technologies, has recently been investigating
exciting new clinical possibilities for this
powerful technique.
MR-guided HIFU
MR-guided HIFU is a new area currently receiving
much attention. In the ablation of tumors in
particular, MR guidance can increase the placement
accuracy of the high-intensity ultrasound focus
enabling much better targeting of a lesion and
reducing damage to surrounding tissue.
 Moreover,
special temperature measurement techniques in
MRI can be used to ensure the specified ablation
temperature. It is also anticipated that MR-guided
HIFU will be a valuable tool for targeted drug
delivery.
MRI is used to track a contrast agent
tagged drug through the body. HIFU is used to
activate it when it reaches the intended treatment
site.
Philips
is currently developing a cost-effective, removable
HIFU add-on for use with existing MR scanners.
The latest development is a prototype HIFU unit
integrated into the patient table. Major challenges
include the development of MR compatible components
for the HIFU unit. This applies to the ultrasonic
probe which must be non-ferrous yet sufficiently
rigid to allow accurate manipulation of the
focused ultrasound beams within MRI bore.
Philips
Applied Technologies has contributed to this
development with the production of the actuating mechatronics for steering the ultrasonic probe
within the patient table plus development of
the steering software.
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