An ultrasound phased array system for intracavitary hyperthermia

Abstract

Intracavitary ultrasound hyperthermia applicators have the potential to better heat certain tumor sites, especially in the pelvic region, than external techniques. To allow deep, controlled heating, an intracavitary phased array has been developed. The hardware required to drive the array was also developed; including amplifiers, phase shifters, power meters and matching circuits. The entire system is computer controlled and capable of driving up to 64 individual ultrasound transducers. This system was used to conduct acoustic field measurements and in vivo perfused kidney experiments with the phased arrays. These results show that these arrays focus as predicted, and are capable of controlling the heating field by electrically controlling the position of the focus.