HIFU, which is short for high intensity focused ultrasound, is a state-of-the-art technology that utilizes ultrasound energy to destroy targeted tissue during a procedure that is customized for each patient’s prostate cancer treatment. When HIFU energy is delivered

to a specific location within the body, the tissue temperature at that site, or focal point, is elevated to nearly 195 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of seconds, resulting in tissue destruction, while the tissue outside the focal point remains unharmed.Â

In order to understand the basic concept of how HIFU works an analogy can be drawn between HIFU ablating the prostate and sunrays entering a magnifying glass to burn a leaf. When a magnifying glass is held above a leaf in the correct position on a sunny day the sunrays intersect below the lens and cause the leaf to burn at the point of intersection.

In most cases, Sonablate HIFU is a 2-4 hour, one-time procedure performed on an out-patient basis under spinal anesthesia. Unlike radiation, HIFU uses clean, or non-ionizing, energy so the procedure may be repeated if necessary.

The Basic Concept of HIFU

If you insert your hand into the path of either one of the sun rays individually, away from the point of intersection, there is no significant heat felt or harm caused. Alternatively, if you place your hand at the point of intersection you will be burned.Â

The scientific principles at work in this example are the same as those with HIFU. Instead of light as the energy source, HIFU utilizes sound. Instead of a magnifying glass HIFU uses a transducer. Just as the individual sunray does not super heat the hand, the individual sound wave does not super heat the tissue it travels through.