Design and experimental evaluation of an endocavitary linear phased array for ultrasound surgery of prostate

The design and the results of the experimental evaluation of a 70-element l inear phased ultrasonic array intended for endocavitary (transrectal) surgi cal treatment of chronic prostatic disease are presented. The array consist s of elements of width 1 mm and length 15 mm, and its operating frequency i s 1 MHz. The array performs electronic scanning of the focus within 30-60 m m along the acoustic axis and +/-20 mm in the perpendicular direction (whic h corresponds to the maximum prostate dimensions). In the course of the sca nning, an acceptable level of secondary intensity peaks is maintained, and the acoustic power generated by the array is no less than 200 W. The result s suggest that the array can be useful for prostate surgery. However, a wid espread clinical application of this ultrasound method depends on the devel opment of combined systems providing both the ultrasound ablation of prosta te tissue and the control over the location of the focal region in the pros tate before ablation. (C) 2000 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".