Importance

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Abstract

An ultrasound hyperthermia unit for the treatment of a target tissue, includes an ultrasound transducer array (1) angled to direct sonic energy toward a target (8), wherein the array (1) comprises a plurality of divergent transducers (2) arranged radially of a central axis to provide a coherent treatment field about a central axis. Temperature sensing means (10) may be operatively associated with the array and adapted to provide an output signal indicative of temperature values adjacent a target tumour, said signal being utilized to control the output of the transducers. A liquid bath (5) may be provided for being located between the array (1) and the skin (14) of a patient, said liquid bath being adapted to warm or induce local hyperthermia in the skin surface. The divergent array, when associated with a water bath, allows a particularly effective treatment of physiotherapeutic conditions or neoplastic tissues without causing collateral damage.

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First Claim