[Evaluation of ultrasound hyperthermia system with a phantom model]

Ultrasound (US) hyperthermia is a local heating method that has recently been introduced into clinical practice. A prototype and modified version of this system using a phantom model (agar with bone inserted) were evaluated. The prototype system consists of a power delivery unit (0.5 MHz frequency) with a circulating cooled water bolus. This system heats a shallow area irrespective of power output, but has a tendency to overheat the phantom surface. We incorporated three modifications into the prototype. The modified type has three frequency applicators (0.5, 1.0, 1.5MHz) and a secondary bolus. Aluminum-urethane shields were used to cover the phantom surface located over bone preventing overheating of bone. By changing the applicator's US frequency, we could change the depth of the heating area. Overheating of the phantom surface and bone thus was avoided. These results suggest that our modified US hyperthermia system with multiple frequency applicators, a secondary bolus and aluminum-urethane shields provided a good heating pattern.