Robotic HIFU Is Now One Step Closer For Prostate Cancer

Amazing!  I wrote about this technology last year I think.  Now we have a way to destroy cancer in the prostate gland with thermal ablation through focused ultrasound.  I am so happy the normally bureaucratic people in charge of the FDA have allowed us to really investigate high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).  Now let's use a cattle prod on the FDA to let Americans use the ultrasound contrast mediums available in the USA namely: (Optison and Definity) to reveal the results of the treatment of prostate cancer with HIFU.  There is another contrast medium used overseas called Levovist. The research goal here is to find places in the prostate that are necrotic, versus the areas that are still living. They are trying to get FDA approval for marketing a safe medium here in the USA.  I wish them well.  

I am flying home tomorrow morning from Maryland where I did some intense training for the National Institute of Health this week. You bet it is on my resume.  I have met many good people where I taught some high level ultrasound techniques.  Bless you all here in Maryland.  

EDAP TMS of Vaulx-en-Velin, France received CE Mark approval for its Focal•One robotic High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) system for non-invasive treatment of prostate cancer.

The system overlays and fuses 3D MR imaging data with that captured using ultrasound. The tumor is contoured within the system’s software and then attacked using ultrasound. The combination of MRI and live ultrasound allows for real-time guidance of the energy beam during therapy.

Blessings.  Thanks SonoWorld

http://www.medgadget.com/2013/06/focal%E2%80%A2one-robotic-high-intensity-focused-ultrasound-for-prostate-cancer-gets-green-light-in-eu.htmlhttp://www.medgadget.com/2013/06/focal%E2%80%A2one-robotic-high-intensity-focused-ultrasound-for-prostate-cancer-gets-green-light-in-eu.html