Introduction and background of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)

Abstract

Early in the 1940s, it was discovered that intense focused ultrasound can produce tissue lesion deep inside the tissue without damaging the intervening tissue. Based on this attractive feature, William and Francis Fry designed and clinically tested the first HIFU device for the treatment of Parkinson disorder in 1950s. Coleman and Lizzi performed a large-scale clinical study to treat glaucoma in 1980s that resulted in the first FDA approved HIFU clinical device. In late 1980s, clinical and economic success of ESWL for the treatment of kidney stones sparked a renewed interest in HIFU for non-invasive thermal treatment of prostate diseases—both benign and cancer. In 1992, the Sonablate and Ablatherm HIFU devices were introduced at an international meeting in Vienna, Austria. At the same time, researchers also pursued use of MRI for temperature monitoring during the Focused Ultrasound Surgery (FUS). Many interesting and exciting new developments have taken place in the field during the last decade. There were two international meetings attended by interdisciplinary groups, and the International Society of Therapeutic Ultrasound (ISTU) was established in 2002. Dedicated efforts are underway for widespread clinical utilization of intense focused ultrasound for a spectrum of applications including treatment of benign and malignant tumors, wound sealing, cosmetic surgery, and remote drug delivery and acoustic homeostasis. These new developments and frontiers of intense focused ultrasound present a great opportunity to the ultrasound community. It will be presented with illustrations. Early in the 1940s, it was discovered that intense focused ultrasound can produce tissue lesion deep inside the tissue without damaging the intervening tissue. Based on this attractive feature, William and Francis Fry designed and clinically tested the first HIFU device for the treatment of Parkinson disorder in 1950s. Coleman and Lizzi performed a large-scale clinical study to treat glaucoma in 1980s that resulted in the first FDA approved HIFU clinical device. In late 1980s, clinical and economic success of ESWL for the treatment of kidney stones sparked a renewed interest in HIFU for non-invasive thermal treatment of prostate diseases—both benign and cancer. In 1992, the Sonablate and Ablatherm HIFU devices were introduced at an international meeting in Vienna, Austria. At the same time, researchers also pursued use of MRI for temperature monitoring during the Focused Ultrasound Surgery (FUS). Many interesting and exciting new developments have taken place in the field during the last decade. There were two international meetings attended by interdisciplinary groups, and the International Society of Therapeutic Ultrasound (ISTU) was established in 2002. Dedicated efforts are underway for widespread clinical utilization of intense focused ultrasound for a spectrum of applications including treatment of benign and malignant tumors, wound sealing, cosmetic surgery, and remote drug delivery and acoustic homeostasis. These new developments and frontiers of intense focused ultrasound present a great opportunity to the ultrasound community. It will be presented with illustrations.