Mechanical tissue ablation via acoustic cavitation

Mechanical tissue ablation via acoustic cavitation—histotripsy—is a noninvasive procedure that uses focused ultrasound to produce microbubbles (acoustic cavitation) within tissue. The rapid expansion and collapse of these bubbles generate powerful mechanical forces, resulting in precise, non-thermal destruction of target tissue into acellular debris. This debris is absorbed by the body over time and the sharp boundary produced by histotripsy enables tissue-selective ablation, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. The technique is guided by real-time imaging, does not rely on heat, and is under investigation for treating malignant and benign diseases, including cancer, BPH, and cardiovascular conditions. Safety and efficacy are being assessed in clinical trials, but challenges remain, including depth limitations, risks for certain tissues, and theoretical concerns over tumor cell spread. Note: This entry is not a canonical molecular target but refers to a physical process used for therapeutic tissue ablation. Structured data for molecule-specific fields should be considered not applicable or null except as noted.

Other names

Histotripsynon-thermal ultrasound ablationmechanical ultrasound ablation