High-intensity focused ultrasound with large scale spherical phased array for the ablation of deep tumors.

Under some circumstances surgical resection is feasible in a low percentage for the treatment of deep tumors. Nevertheless, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is beginning to offer a potential noninvasive alternative to conventional therapies for the treatment of deep tumors. In our previous study, a large scale spherical HIFU-phased array was developed to ablate deep tumors. In the current study, taking into account the required focal depth and maximum acoustic power output, 90 identical circular PZT-8 elements (diameter =1.4 cm and frequency=1 MHz) were mounted on a spherical shell with a radius of curvature of 18 cm and a diameter of 21 cm. With the developed array, computer simulations and ex vivo experiments were carried out. The simulation results theoretically demonstrate the ability of the array to focus and steer in the specified volume (a 2 cmx2 cmx3 cm volume) at the focal depth of 15 to 18 cm. Ex vivo experiment results also verify the capability of the developed array to ablate deep target tissue by either moving single focal point or generating multiple foci simultaneously.

[Development of a cryosurgery & radiofrequency alternating tumor ablation device].

The combination of the cryosurgery using LN2 and intelligent RF ablation therapeutic instrument based on the theory of local destruction is introduced in this paper, and this alternating therapy is believed to have a better controlling effect on tumor ablation. In heating period, a fuzzy algorithm is used to control the RF power to realize a more smoothly heating process to the target area.

[Experimental study on ultrasound heating affecting the sensitivity of oral carcinoma to chemotherapy drugs].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of chemosensitivity of Tca8113 cells by modified MTT assay after the animal model of Tca8113 were treated by the ultrasound hyperthermia. METHODS: The MTT assay of the BALB/C nu/nu mice model of Tca8113 cells treated by the ultrasound hyperthermia in vivo was performed. RESULTS: The chemosensitivity to the 9 kinds of drugs demonstrated no significant differences between the Tca8113 cells in the control group, the 39 degrees C-treated group and the groups treated from 41 degrees C to 44 degrees C. But significant differences between the 40 degrees C-treated group and the 41 degrees C or 42 degrees C-treated group existed. In the heating-time grades test, there were no significant differences in the chemosensitivity to the 9 kinds of drugs between these three pairs of group (the control group and the 15 min-treated group, the 30 min-treated and the 45 min-treated group, the 60 min-treated and the 75 min-treated group). But there were significant differences between the 30 min-treated or the 45 min-treated group and the 60 min-treated or the 75 min-treated group. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound hyperthermia performed in 42 degrees C for 30-45 min can improve the chemosensitivity of Tca8113 cells to some drugs significantly, which confirms the rationality of synchronous combination of hyperthermia and chemotherapy in the chemosensitivity point of view for the first time.

[A study on the mechanism of inducing apoptosis of Tca8113 cells by means of ultrasound hyperthermia].

PURPOSE: To investigate the mechanism of apoptosis in Tca8113 cells induced by ultrasound hyperthermia by detecting changes in related index. METHODS: Tca8113 cells were treated in vitro by ultrasound hyperthermia in different heating temperatures (38 degrees C to 44 degrees C,10 minutes) and heating times (42 degrees C,10 to 60 minutes), and then the dynamic changes of early apoptosis and secondary necrosis treated by 42 degrees C for 10 minutes were assayed to detect deltapsim and Caspase-3 levels of different groups by flow cytometry (FCM). The means of each group were compared by ANOVA with SAS6.12 software package. RESULTS: After heated by ultrasound in 42 degrees C for 10 minutes, the early apoptosis of Tca8113 was detected. The apoptosis index reached its highest level at the 6th to 8th hour, then decreased rapidly and maintained in a lower level after 12 hours. The level of secondary necrosis increased with the level of early apoptosis, but kept in a higher level until the 10th hour, the level of secondary necrosis correlated with that of the early apoptosis (r = 0.7909, P = 0.0064). The fraction of cells with low mitochondria membrane potential and increased activity of Caspase-3 were detected either in the heating-temperature grads group or in the heating-time grads group, which showed significant relationship between thetwo apoptosis related index (r = 0.89189, P = 0.0029 in the heating-temperature grads group; r = 0.9679, P = 0.0003 in the heating-time grads group). CONCLUSIONS: Tca8113 cells developed apoptosis after heated by ultrasound hyperthermia along with deltapsim level decreasing and Caspase-3 activity increasing. Ultrasound hyperthermia induces apoptosis of Tca8113 cells by the mitochondrum-Caspase pathway.