The Ablatherm is a combination
of various components:
A table for the patient
to lie on during the treatment.
An ultrasound high resolution imaging
system, which allows the visualization of the prostate
by the surgeon.
An endorectal probe
consisting of an integrated echographic transducer for a real time high resolution imaging and the treatment
transducer, which emits the focused ultrasounds.
This probe is placed in a latex balloon
filled with cooled liquid.
A computer which controls
the robotic arm and aims the shots according to the firing plan
established by the surgeon.
Many safety devices are connected to the equipment
to guarantee the patient’s security and the optimal effectiveness
of the treatment:
A continuous control of the
treatment probe’s position in relation with the rectum
wall.
A detector of patient’s movements.
A constant control of the
rectal temperature.
A constant control of the
power delivered to the patient.
These systems stop the shots automatically
if an abnormality is detected during the treatment (displacement
of the prostate and/or of the patient during the treatment)
and guarantee the treatment safety.
