Fig. 1:

Conceptual illustration of a noninvasive histotripsy procedure. A focused ultrasound transducer is coupled to the patient through a confined water bolus attached to the transducer face. The transducer also contains an ultrasound (US) imaging probe for targeting and guidance. Both transducers are controlled by a combined imaging/therapy system. The transducer focus is positioned within the target tissue using US imaging guidance. When therapy is administered, bubbles appear on the US image as a hyperechoic region confined to the focus. Over a short time, the tissue is disintegrated into subcellular debris with a precise boundary. Once the tissue is ablated, it appears on imaging as a hypoechoic area indicating to the operator that treatment is complete.