The Diater apparatus is the result of joint work of specialists from the Laboratory of Ultrasonic Technologies of the Center for Advanced Research of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) and the Novosibirsk-based company Shvabe (Rosteh Corp.).
The Diater is intended for non-invasive treatment of tumors using high frequency sound waves to kill cancer cells. Unlike surgical ablation, the HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) ablation procedure is much safer because it does not provoke the appearance of new cancer cells. In addition, it is painless and does not require general anesthesia.
“February, 4th is the World Cancer Day, and we hope the new medical complex Diater will make a significant contribution to the healthcare, – highlighted the Vice-Rector for Research of SPbPU Vitaly Sergeev at the presentation. – Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University is now actively engaged in Life Science; we increase the possibilities of using a modern research base to improve people’s health”.
“HIFU therapy is slightly spread in Russia, but it is considered to be the one of the safest and most effective ways to fight cancer,” added Ivan Ozhgikhin, Deputy General Director of Shvabe. “In the late stages of cancer, the use of this technology greatly alleviates the symptoms of the disease, increasing life expectancy and ensuring a high level of its quality.”
This device has few advantages over analogues, for example, a special program controlled via ultrasonography is used for focusing of ultrasonic waves. Analogues focus waves mechanically or with the participation of MRI, which makes the procedure more expensive and complicated. Another advantage of new device is the electronic movement of the focal region of ablation. This means that the body part and the therapeutic unit are connected and do not move relative to each other during the procedure. The contact spot remains constant, which improves the quality of the procedure and reduces the time it takes.
The Diater device is for both benign and precancerous lesions, and malignant tumors of the breast, thyroid, prostate, pancreas and some other types of cancer.
The head of the Laboratory of Ultrasonic Technologies at SPbPU Alexander Berkovich said: “The next step is the development of similar devices for the treatment of uterine fibroids and varicose veins of the lower extremities, ablation of neoplasms in the thyroid gland, prostate, abdominal structures”.
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University