HIFU or High Intensity Focused Ultrasound is energy used to ablate tissue within the body. HIFU directs sound waves to a specific location within the prostate called the focal point. At the focal point the tissue temperature rapidly (within 1 second) rises to almost 195 degrees Fahrenheit (90 degrees Celsius) and the targeted tissue is destroyed, while the tissue located outside the focal lesion remains unharmed.

Please consult your personal urologist for qualifications and/or restrictions about becoming a Sonablate HiFU patient.

HIFU is a minimally invasive prostate tissue ablation option that allows the physician to deliver precise and focused ablation. HIFU uses ultrasound energy, not radiation, to destroy targeted tissue so the procedure can be repeated, if necessary. It is up to you and your physician to determine if Sonablate HIFU is an option for you.

Neurovascular bundle detection helps the physician to avoid causing harm to sensitive structures surrounding the prostate, like neurovascular bundles. The ability to avoid a neurovascular bundle can have a significant effect on maintaining erectile function and help to preserve a patient’s quality of life.

Rectal wall monitoring helps determine the temperature of and proximity to the rectal wall. This helps the physician protect the rectal wall tissue during therapy.

The active cooling system circulates chilled water through the probe during the procedure while monitoring temperature, which helps the physician protect the rectal wall tissue from heat generated during thermal ablation.

Real-time imaging  allows the physician to view and compare the original image to the real-time image being treated, for visual ablation confirmation.

MRI/US fusion integration software allows the physician to merge MRI images into the Sonablate planning software, fusing them with the real-time ultrasound images. The physician can then determine a more precise ablation plan based on the fusion of these two key datasets.

TCM or Tissue Change Monitoring is a color display that (during tissue ablation) gives the physician enhanced feedback about the change in tissue at each point of HIFU delivery.

Yes, this is typically an outpatient procedure.

Usually, the procedure last approximately 2-4 hours. This depends on the amount of prostate tissue being ablated during the procedure.

Yes, you may have a urinary catheter after your procedure. It will be up to your doctor to determine what type of catheter and how long you may need to have the catheter.

HIFU treatment in Australia is currently not covered under Medicare. Some private health insurers pay for all or part of the cost of HIFU. If you submit a patient profile via this website, then we can inform you of the cost of HIFU in your specific circumstance.