title: Multiple high-intensity focused ultrasound probes for kidney-tissue ablation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate kidney-tissue ablation by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) using multiple and single probes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ultrasound beams (1.75 MHz) produced by a piezoceramic element (focal distance 80 mm) were focused at the center of renal parenchyma. One of the three probes (mounted on a jig) could also be used for comparison with a single probe at comparable power ratings. Lesion dimensions were examined in perfused and unperfused ex vivo porcine kidneys at different power levels (40, 60, and 80 W) and treatment times (4, 6, and 8 seconds).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At identical power levels, the lesions induced by multiple probes were larger than those induced by a single probe. Lesion size increased with increasing pulse duration and generator power. The sizes and shapes of the lesions were predictably repeatable in all samples. Lesions in perfused kidneys were smaller than those in unperfused kidneys.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ex vivo, kidney-tissue ablation by means of multiple HIFU probes offers significant advantages over single HIFU probes in respect of lesion size and formation. These advantages need to be confirmed by tests in vivo at higher energy levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany. axel.haecker@chir.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Häcker
authors.forename: Sunita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chauhan
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hildenbrand
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marlinghaus
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alken
authors.forename: Maurice Stephan
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Michel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D023421:Models, Animal; D013552:Swine; D014159:Transducers; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*