Making waves

Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) ablation procedures have provided relief for thousands of women with uncomfortable uterine fibroids. Now researchers are hoping to apply this non-invasive outpatient procedure to more malignant problems, such as liver cancer, in the near future.

ExAblate 2000, from

and

, integrates Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with focused ultrasound energy.

The procedure has already proved successful in the removal of benign uterine tumours around the world and at

and

, where it is being tested. However, the procedure has yet to be approved for coverage under the

, although it has been approved by the

in the US.

ExAblate 2000 is also undergoing a trial to treat liver cancer at St. Mary's Hospital Paddington, but the researchers said that adapting the MRgFUS technology for liver treatments is a tricky task.

The technology works by directing high intensity focused ultrasound waves into the body at a specific tissue via a transducer. At the focal point, the ultrasonic 'beam' brings the temperature of the targeted tissue to 65-85°C, which destroys the damaged tissue.