Ablatherm Versus SonaBlate 500

At present, there are 2 competing HIFU machines -- the Ablatherm manufactured by Edap Technomed of Frnace and the Sonablate 500 manufactured by Focus Surgery located in the USA.

Both companies manufacture a HIFU unit consists of a control console, a power generator, and a probe that contains a standard imaging and a high-intensity treatment ultrasound head.

Both companies claim that their HIFU units are superior which isn't surprising.

The Ablatherm has been in use longer than the Sonoblate 500 so there are more studies and data demonstrating clinical efficacy. However, there are clinical trials underway in the USA testing both machines.

Ablatherm was approved in the European Union is 2000 and in Canada in 2003.

There is a difference in the way each HIFU unit takes images. The Ablatherm has one transducer at the  end of a probe. This transducer is either a image transducer or a treatment transducer so that to see an up-to-date image of the prostate during therapy, the probes must be switched.

On the other hand, the Sonoblate unit has a single probe which is able to give treatment and take images. This allows the treating urologist to have up-to-date images of the prostate gland during treatment.

A significant difference is that a TURP ( transurethral resection of the prostate) is often carried out at the same time as the Ablatherm treatment. The Sonoblate treatment does not require a TURP to be done.

The Sonoblate 500 is capable of treating larger prostates than the Ablatherm. Data suggest indications for the Sonoblate for treatment of prostates of up to 45 mm in height while the Ablatherm is limited to prostates of 25mm height.