What Is HIFU?

HIFU, or high intensity focused ultrasound, is a therapy that destroys unhealthy tissue with rapid heat elevation.

Ultrasound energy, or sound waves, is focused at a specific location in the body. At that location, or focal point, the temperature rapidly rises to almost 90 degrees Celsius (195 degrees Fahrenheit). Any tissue at the focal point is destroyed, but any tissue outside of the focal point is unharmed.

In most cases, HIFU is a 1-4 hour, one-time procedure performed on an out-patient basis under spinal anesthesia. Unlike radiation, HIFU uses clean (also known as non-ionizing) energy, so the procedure can be repeated, if necessary, without damaging healthy tissue.

What is the Sonablate 500 and How Does it Treat Prostate Cancer?

The Sonablate® 500 is a minimally invasive medical device developed by Focus Surgery, Inc. that uses HIFU to treat localized prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in countries where it is approved.

The Sonablate 500 obtains real-time ultrasound images of the prostate and surrounding areas. From these images, the doctor plans where the ultrasound energy will be delivered. The Sonablate software allows the physician to precisely define the treatment zones in order to destroy the entire gland.

Sonablate HIFU is non surgical, radiation free and usually performed as an out-patient procedure.

The Sonablate 500 is the only HIFU device for prostate cancer that does not require a transurethral resection of the prostate—known as TURP, an invasive, surgical procedure—prior to treatment in order to achieve effective results when the prostate is enlarged.