A fast 3D model for the simulation of HIFU treatments

治疗性超声领域正以强大的潜力和广泛的医疗应用而兴起。 其特征在于其能够穿透体内深处而不伤害介入组织， 超声波已经为一系列新的非侵入性疗法奠定了基础。特别是， 集中在高强度聚焦超声（HIFU）领域，以提供非侵入性手段， 系统性肿瘤治疗、声学止血和靶向药物递送。在最近的一次会议上， 2003年6月在华盛顿州西雅图召开的国际超声治疗学会 进展迅速，3家公司销售政府批准的设备，使用中的设备超过75台， 约7,000名患者接受了各种良性和恶性肿瘤的治疗。但有与会者 还可以清楚地看出，美国临床医生普遍接受这项技术， 可能是欧洲的大部分地区，仍然相对遥远。一个主要原因，这种缺乏接受以外的 在中国，实时监测和控制治疗仍然是一个重大挑战。一步一个脚印 该问题的解决方案是开发用于HIFU治疗的精确模型。这样的一个明显的好处 该模型的主要特点是：（1）可以在不增加费用的情况下设计出声发射系统 （2）它将使我们能够计划实验，以最大的效率;（3）它将减少数量 （4）它将减少开发阶段和临床试验之间的时间;（5）它将 使我们能够优化治疗计划，在最短的时间内取得最大的效果。的 这项研究的主要目标是开发一种新的数值方法， 基于超声波传播的标量和弹性表示的HIFU模拟软件，以及 用一系列离体和体内实验来验证该模型。新模型将考虑到 真实的物理过程，并可以在人体的每一个区域独立一致地应用 介质特性和几何形状。该模型的开发将支持我们正在进行的研究。 实验室，和其他人，新的工程设计的HIFU应用。

The field of therapeutic ultrasound is emerging with strong potential and broad medical applications. Characterized by its ability to penetrate at depth inside the body without harming intervening tissue, ultrasound has posed the basis for a new array of noninvasive therapies. In particular, great effort is concentrated in the field of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) to provide a noninvasive means for systematic tumor treatment, acoustic hemostasis, and targeted drug delivery. At a recent meeting of the International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound held in Seattle, WA in June, 2003, the Chinese reported swift progress, with 3 companies selling government-approved devices, with >75 devices in use, and with ~7,000 patients having been treated for a variety of benign and malignant tumors. However, it was also clearly discernable that general acceptance of this technology by clinicians in the USA, and probably much of Europe, was still relatively distant. A major reason for this lack of acceptance outside of China is that real-time monitoring and control of the therapy is still a major challenge. One step toward a solution of this problem is to develop an accurate model for HIFU therapy. The obvious benefits of such a model are as follows: (1) It will enable us to design acoustic delivery systems before incurring the expenses of construction; (2) it will enable us to plan experiments to maximum efficiency; (3) it will reduce the number of animals used; (4) it will reduce the time between the developmental phase and clinical trials; and (5) it will enable us to optimize treatment planning to achieve maximum results in the minimum amount of time. The major goal of this proposed research is to develop a new numerical approach for comprehensive and fast HIFU simulation software based upon scalar and elastic representations of ultrasound wave propagation, and to validate the model with a series of ex vivo and in vivo experiments. The new model will account for realistic physical processes and can be applied consistently in every region of the human bodyindependently of media characteristics and geometries. The development of this model will support on-going studies in our laboratory, and others, of new engineering designs for HIFU applications.