HIFU Training Course

Lesson 1 • Ultrasound Interaction with Tissue

Examines reflection, refraction, absorption, and scattering at tissue interfaces. Links wave behaviour to energy deposition patterns in HIFU targets.

Lesson 2 • Acoustic Wave Fundamentals

Covers frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and propagation speed in tissue. Provides the physical vocabulary needed for all subsequent HIFU concepts.

Lesson 3 • Focusing Principles and Beam Formation

Explains how geometric and electronic focusing concentrates acoustic energy at a focal point. Connects beam geometry to lesion size and shape.

Lesson 1 • HIFU System Architecture

Describes the signal chain from generator to transducer and the role of each subsystem. Provides a mental model for troubleshooting and safe operation.

Lesson 2 • Equipment Quality Assurance

Defines acceptance testing, routine calibration, and performance verification protocols. Ensures equipment operates within safe and effective parameters before patient use.

Lesson 3 • Transducer Types and Designs

Compares single-element, phased-array, and annular-array transducers for clinical use. Guides equipment selection based on target depth and lesion geometry.

Lesson 1 • Vascular and Immune Responses

Analyses blood flow disruption, inflammatory cascades, and immune activation post-ablation. Explains how vascular effects influence treatment planning and outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Lesion Formation and Characterisation

Describes the geometry, margins, and evolution of HIFU lesions over time. Provides criteria for distinguishing complete from incomplete ablation.

Lesson 3 • Off-Target and Collateral Tissue Effects

Identifies risks to skin, ribs, nerves, and adjacent organs from acoustic energy pathways. Builds the safety rationale for treatment planning constraints.

Lesson 1 • Informed Consent and Patient Education

Defines the elements of valid informed consent specific to HIFU procedures. Prepares students to communicate risks, benefits, and alternatives clearly to patients.

Lesson 2 • Clinical Indications and Contraindications

Maps approved and investigational HIFU indications to anatomical targets and disease stages. Defines absolute and relative contraindications to guide safe patient selection.

Lesson 3 • Pre-Treatment Imaging Evaluation

Specifies imaging modalities and parameters required to characterise target lesions. Ensures acoustic window adequacy and identifies anatomical obstacles before treatment.

Lesson 1 • Acoustic Pathway Analysis

Evaluates tissue layers, interfaces, and obstacles along the beam path to the target. Identifies ribs, gas, and scar tissue that require path modification or avoidance.

Lesson 2 • Target Volume Delineation

Teaches contouring of target and critical structures on planning images. Accurate delineation directly determines treatment coverage and safety margins.

Lesson 3 • Parameter Selection and Optimisation

Guides selection of frequency, power, pulse duration, and sonication spacing. Balances ablation efficiency against thermal build-up and off-target heating.

Lesson 1 • Real-Time Targeting and Verification

Demonstrates image-guided target localisation and focal spot verification before ablation. Ensures the focal zone is correctly positioned within the planned target volume.

Lesson 2 • Patient Positioning and Preparation

Covers skin preparation, coupling medium application, and patient immobilisation techniques. Proper setup prevents skin burns and ensures acoustic coupling throughout the session.

Lesson 3 • Sonication Delivery and Monitoring

Guides systematic sonication delivery while monitoring thermal feedback and patient response. Integrates real-time data to adapt treatment parameters during the session.

Lesson 1 • Classification of Adverse Events

Categorises HIFU complications by severity, mechanism, and anatomical location. Provides a shared vocabulary for reporting and comparing safety outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Skin and Superficial Tissue Injuries

Identifies causes, prevention strategies, and management of skin burns and subcutaneous damage. Skin injuries are the most common HIFU complication and are largely preventable.

Lesson 3 • Systemic Risk Mitigation Protocols

Establishes pre-procedure checklists, intra-procedure monitoring standards, and stop-rule criteria. Embeds a culture of proactive safety into every stage of the HIFU workflow.

Lesson 1 • Clinical and Biochemical Follow-Up

Defines symptom assessment, biomarker monitoring, and functional outcome measures for each indication. Links clinical endpoints to imaging findings for comprehensive response evaluation.

Lesson 2 • Imaging-Based Response Assessment

Applies standardised imaging criteria to quantify ablation volume and treatment completeness. Distinguishes true non-perfused volume from residual viable tissue on post-treatment scans.

Lesson 3 • Re-Treatment Decision Making

Provides criteria for identifying incomplete ablation and planning repeat HIFU or salvage therapy. Integrates imaging, clinical, and patient-preference data into re-treatment decisions.