Development of new intracavitary ultrasound applicator

Abstract

The authors suggest the use of cylindrical piezoelectric transducers for intracavity hyperthermia treatment of vaginal or prostatic tumors, to take advantage of the deep penetration of ultrasound below 5 MHz. Different sizes and shapes of applicators operating around 1 MHz have been developed. The longest is 12 cm in length and 1.5 cm in diameter and uses two lead titanate zirconate transducers of 4-cm length each. Studies of power distributions in tissue-equivalent phantoms are presented, and the results are assessed.<>