New developments in therapeutic ultrasound

The main purpose of this article is to review selective research and developments during the last decade in the field. There has been tremendous progress in engineering and science coupled with ultrasound transducer technology and imaging modalities during the last 10 years. These new R and D efforts have enhanced the capabilities of ultrasound therapy, and it now appears that the ultrasound therapy base will be expanded for clinical applications, particularly as noninvasive surgery becomes a more acceptable method of treatment. This article limits its review to novel developments in ultrasound hyperthermia and noninvasive ultrasound surgery. Along with descriptions of ultrasound devices and new accompanying techniques such as magnetic resonance image (MRI) guided noninvasive surgery, some relevant clinical results are summarized as a measure of progress.