ExAblate
Exablate is a family of non-invasive medical devices manufactured by Insightec, a company headquartered in Haifa, Israel with regional offices in USA (Dallas, Texas), China, Japan and Europe. The Exablate and Exablate Neuro use MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) technology, which combines focused ultrasound with Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Focused ultrasound is capable of ablating tissue inside the body without the need for an incision. The MRI is used to visualize anatomy, aid in planning the treatment and monitoring temperatures in real-time during the treatment. This thermal feedback allows the physician to control and adjust the treatment in real-time to ensure that the targeted tissue is completely ablated without impacting adjacent healthy tissue.
Ultrasound is a form of energy that passes through skin, muscle, fat and other soft tissue. Low intensity ultrasound waves have been safely used for years in diagnostic imaging devices. With higher energy levels, ultrasound waves can generate enough heat to cause thermal ablation, which destroys cells.
With focused ultrasound, the ultrasound waves are directed from a transducer (which converts electrical energy into ultrasound energy) to a focal target. The ultrasound beams pass through soft tissue and only at the focal point where they converge is heat generated. The therapeutic effect is created by raising the tissue temperature during energy delivery (sonication) which causes thermal ablation and defined regions of protein denaturation, irreversible cell damage and coagulative necrosis at the target. The accuracy of MRgFUS enables physicians to effectively treat tumors and other tissue without damaging surrounding tissue or structures. Cells as close as 0.1 mm from the target remain undamaged. A treatment consist of multiple exposures of focused energy or sonications.
Magnetic resonance imaging provides high resolution visualization, patient-specific treatment planning and continuous monitoring of the Exablate procedure. MR images are acquired in 3 orientations (coronal, axial, and sagittal) to give the user a complete anatomical survey of the treatment area. Targeted tissue and surrounding structures such as intestine or nerves are clearly visible on MR images. The images are used for treatment planning and to assist the treatment team in proper positioning of the patient on the treatment bed.
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