Focused ultrasound system for mechanical tissue ablation

Focused ultrasound mechanical tissue ablation is a non-invasive therapeutic technique utilizing focused beams of high-intensity ultrasound to mechanically destroy soft tissue, such as tumors, without significant thermal effects. The process works by focusing ultrasound waves to a small volume within the tissue, where high local pressure induces acoustic cavitation, causing rapid bubble formation and collapse that mechanically fragments cells and disrupts tissue structure. Unlike thermal HIFU, which destroys tissue by heating, mechanical HIFU (or histotripsy) relies on non-thermal, mechanical forces[3][4][6]. Devices such as the FDA-cleared Edison System are indicated for non-invasive destruction of liver tumors using this approach. The technology is closely monitored via imaging, often MRI or ultrasound, to accurately target the ablation zone and minimize harm to adjacent healthy tissues[4][6].

Other names

Mechanical high-intensity focused ultrasound (mechanical HIFU)Non-thermal focused ultrasound ablationFocused ultrasound mechanical ablationHistotripsy (in specific contexts)

Physical *mechanical ablation* of tissue by focused acoustic cavitation (energy causes rapid formation and collapse of microbubbles, fragmenting tissue without significant heat generation)[4][6].\nMay induce cellular disruption and necrosis via mechanical stress.