High power and therapeutic ultrasound

A promising technique

The use of ultrasounds in therapy and other potential applications: a field with a promising future.

The development of therapeutic applications of ultrasounds has really accelerated over the past 15 years. This new treatment approach has now been recognized and its many advantages are appreciated. In particular, it is generally acknowledged that there are fewer side effects compared with other techniques.

The combination of this technique with such techniques as imaging, diagnostic ultrasound and MRI in particular, enables many pathologies to be treated, including cancerous tumors.

This development has been made possible by the considerable efforts undertaken in academic and technological research. The researchers and manufacturers active in this field form a growing community which is heard in particular at such international conferences as the ISTU conference, the IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, the Ultrasonics International conference, the AMUM workshop, etc...

Advances in transducer technology also play a very decisive role in this domain. Imasonic contributes by developing new technological solutions itself and in collaboration with many application developments.

Until recently, High Power ultrasounds were used only in the field of low ultrasonic frequencies: cleaning, machining, welding. Advances made in higher frequency transducer technology now open the way to new applications that make use of the physical and sono-chemical effects of High Power ultrasounds:

Tumor treatment using thermal and/or cavitation effects (histotripsy) implemented in the treatment of different organs

• Uterine fibroid
• Prostate
• Breast
• Brain
• Liver
• Kidney
• Bones
• etc.

Drug delivery

• Rupture of the shell of drug-loaded particules
• Blood Brain Barrier opening
• Improvement of the efficacy of drugs (like sonothrombolysis or HSP for instance)
• etc.

Bone healing