Multi-frequency harmonics technique for HIFU tissue treatment

New technique for enhancing of tissue lysis and enlarging treatment volume during one HIFU sonification is proposed. The technique consists in simultaneous or alternative (at optimal repetition frequency) excitation of single element HIFU transducer on a frequencies corresponding to odd natural harmonics of piezoceramic element at ultrasound energy levels sufficient for producing cavitational, thermal or mechanical damage of fat cells at each of aforementioned frequencies. Calculation and FEM modeling of transducer vibrations and acoustic field patterns for different frequencies sets were performed. Acoustic pressure in focal plane was measured in water using calibrated hydrophone and 3D acoustic scanning system. In vitro experiments on different tissues and phantoms confirming the advantages of multi-frequency harmonic method were performed.