Focusing cross-fire applicator for ultrasonic hyperthermia of tumors

An improved concept for ultrasonic hyperthermia of tumors is presented. This concept is based on past experience of a German government supported project , which ended in 1984. It offers a low cost alternative to common RF- and microwave methods for hyperthermia of tumors with volumes between 1 and 40 ml at treatment times between 30 and 60 min. Our new version of the system considerably improves the temperature suppression in the healthy tissue around the target area and enables the adjustment of the beam width to the actual tumor size and the field geometry to the depth and shape of the tumor. The applicator can be used for moderate hyperthermia with tissue overheating up to 10K or for ablation therapy with short high temperature pulses. Its central area is free for the integration of a commercial ultrasonic diagnostic sector scanner or a Doppler flow sensor in order to support the adjustment of the transducer and to monitor the whole area during the therapy.