The TULSA Procedure, short for Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation, is a gentle yet powerful wayto treat prostate tissue when it needs to be removed. The clinician aims strong, focused soundwaves at the prostate, heating it to high temperatures and causing the tissue to stop working.The whole process happens inside a special MRI room, where the TULSA-PRO® system keeps everythingsafe and precise. By using images from the MRI at the same time, a computer-controlled arm directsthe sound waves either through the urethra or through a small opening, allowing the clinician toconfidently destroy just the right amount of prostate tissue, whether that is the whole prostateor just a section of it.
The ultrasound applicator (UA) slides gently into the urethra and fires ultrasound waves towardthe prostate from ten tiny, separately controlled speakers. This clever tool keeps high energyfocused right where it’s needed, heating the prostate gradually. Inside the UA, a constant coolingflow keeps the urethra cool, and a thin cooling tube that slides into the rectum protects rectalwalls and nerves, so normal bladder and sexual function stays intact.
The ultrasound applicator (UA) slides gently into the urethra and fires ultrasound waves towardthe prostate from ten tiny, separately controlled speakers. This clever tool keeps high energyfocused right where it’s needed, heating the prostate gradually. Inside the UA, a constant coolingflow keeps the urethra cool, and a thin cooling tube that slides into the rectum protects rectalwalls and nerves, so normal bladder and sexual function stays intact.
With advanced MR imaging that sharpens every detail, the doctor can examine the prostate from everyangle—front-to-back, side-to-side, and top-to-bottom.
With these pictures, the doctor maps out the edges of the prostate, showing exactly which part goeswith each tiny ultrasound speaker. For instance, over here, the outline for speaker number 4 ismarked clearly so everyone knows what bit of the prostate it sees.
The doctor carefully traces the last few outlines on the remaining transducer elements, making sureto mark every piece so that the full prostate area intended for treatment is clearly defined. Whenhe is done, the entire zone is highlighted and set for the ablation process. The image that followsdemonstrates how the whole gland is treated in one procedure.
Before the procedure, the doctor sketches a treatment zone that matches the patient’s unique prostatesize, shape, and the vital nerves that must be protected. This "boundary line" is like a dotted roadon a map, telling the UA exactly where to work and where to edge away.
With that line drawn, the doctor can tighten the energy and create the smallest zone needed,striking a balance between cleaning out the prostate and keeping the patient’s sexual and urinarysystems run smoothly.
The UA moves gently around the urethra, letting the focused ultrasound beam warm more prostate cellsin one smooth sweep. This sweeping motion helps ensure that no small areas are left untreated.
The TULSA-PRO setup follows preset treatment limits all on its own. It treats only the areas markedwithin the safe limits, which helps avoid mistakes that can happen with manual controls.
The doctor watches the heating patterns on MR images while the treatment is happening. If somethingdoesn’t look right, the doctor can quickly change the plan. This real-time supervision keeps thewhole procedure safe and within expected outcomes.