TURP required?
|
At Maple Leaf HIFU, fewer than 2% of patients
have required a TUR-P prior to Ablatherm HIFU. |
Willing to treat larger prostates but frequently
require TURP post treatment or prolonged catheterization. |
| Image Quality |
Dual US Transducers in treatment probe provides
superior 7.5 MHZ imaging while allowing optimum High Intensity
Shock Wave Production with separate generator. |
Single 4.0 MHZ transducer compromises image
quality
and treatment results. |
| Nerve Detection |
Superior imaging allows precise visualization and localization
of neurovascular bundles allowing improved nerve sparing. |
No data available on preservation of erectile function
with suboptimal visualization of 4.0 MHZ probe. |
| Energy Control |
Computer controlled. Auto detection of possible danger
to rectum allows uniform application of energy level to effectively
treat prostate. |
Requires physician input to reduce power and, in some cases,
this could result in a failure to completely treat prostate
tissue. |
| The Probe |
After initially positioned
by physician, probe is fine tuned by robotic control and
image recognition software to ensure accurate treatment.
Allows very accurate delivery of energy to tolerance of 0.1
mm. Fully automated. |
Probe must be manually placed
and manipulated. Very operator dependent. |
| Power Adjustment |
Three scientifically tested
and optimal energy levels for de novo, radiation failure
or HIFU retreatment conditions. |
Must vary energy based on
visual clues to avoid periprostatic tissue injury. Significant
risk of rectal injury. |
| Precision |
Variable height of focal
area in single probe allows energy to be delivered in pattern
conformed to prostate anatomy |
Probe geometry poorly configures
to prostate anatomy. |
| Safety
Features |
Four safety features including
external motion detector, rectal wall temperature monitoring,
rectal wall thickness and “probe to rectal wall” distance
protect against rectal or preprostatic tissue injury. Automatic
disengagement of firing device if parameters are violated.
Image guided robotic fine tuning of probe position to ensure
effective treatment. |
Safety devices require constant
operator attention to monitor limited safety parameters and
adjust device energy output to prevent rectal injury (fistula)
or injury to surrounding tissue. |
| Treatment
Time |
Integrated imaging with single
probe and automated control keep treatment time under 2 hours
in the majority of cases. |
Poor image quality and small
treatment field extend treatment time up to 8 hours with
an average treatment time of 2.8 hours. |
