What Is HIFU Used For? Laser or Not, and How It Differs From Cosmetic HIFU

Is HIFU a laser?

No. A laser uses light energy, and its effect stays largely at the surface. HIFU uses sound: much like a magnifying glass gathering sunlight onto a point, ultrasound waves converge on a small chosen focus inside the body. The skin and tissues the waves pass through are relatively spared while the tissue at the focus heats up and is inactivated. So although phrases like "HIFU laser" are common, they are technically incorrect.

One principle, very different devices

HIFU has been studied in medicine for decades in many fields. Today you will most often meet it in two contexts:

• Cosmetic HIFU: handheld devices targeting the connective tissue beneath the skin of the face, chin and neck. Energy is delivered at shallow depths measured in millimetres; the aim is a tightening effect.
• Medical HIFU: systems targeting deep tissue such as uterine fibroids. The focus is placed several centimetres deep; the patient lies on a treatment table and the procedure is planned and performed by a physician under imaging guidance.

The two groups share only the physical principle. Focal depth, energy, imaging, planning software, safety measures and medical device registration are entirely different.

What does a fibroid system do differently?

• Imaging guidance: the fibroid and nearby structures such as bowel and bladder are monitored with ultrasound throughout; energy is delivered only to the planned area.
• Treatment planning: the fibroid is mapped layer by layer and the energy points are planned in software.
• Deep focus: a large transducer converges energy at the depth needed to reach a fibroid in the uterine wall.
• Acoustic coupling: degassed water is used so the sound waves pass into the body without loss.
• Physician assessment: before treatment, MRI is used to assess the fibroid’s location, type and tissue features; not every fibroid is found suitable.

The systems at our centre: PRO2008 and PRO300

ProHIFU uses two ultrasound-guided focused ultrasound systems designed for fibroid treatment. PRO2008 is a platform made up of a treatment table, imaging and positioning components and a treatment planning system. PRO300 is a newer-generation system that positions the transducer with a robotic arm and has adaptive planning software and a water processing unit. The technical components, certification and registration status of both devices are described on their own pages, based on manufacturer documents.

Can a beauty clinic treat fibroids?

No. Cosmetic HIFU devices used for face-lifting lack the depth, imaging guidance and planning system needed to reach a fibroid in the uterus. At any centre you approach for fibroid treatment, it is reasonable to ask:

• Is the device designed for uterine fibroid treatment and registered as a medical device?
• Is the procedure performed under imaging guidance?
• Is there a physician assessment with MRI before treatment?
• If I am not suitable, which options will be offered?