Ultrasound intracavity system for imaging, therapy planning and treatment of focal disease

A new ultrasound system has been developed based on advances in transducer material technology. It permits the same piezoceramic element to be used for conventional pulse echo ultrasound imaging as well as for continuous wave high intensity focused ultrasound for tissue ablation. This intracavity device is presently used for prostate tissue ablation. Ultrasound visualization of the prostate guides the probe placing the ultrasound beam focus in the appropriate tissue region. A large volume tissue ablation of demarcated size is produced by using both the linear and sector motions of the transducer