Ascension St. Vincent completes first noninvasive ultrasound treatment for liver tumors in Central Indiana

Ascension St. Vincent has completed the first histotripsy procedure in central Indiana, expanding access to a noninvasive treatment option for patients with liver tumors.

Histotripsy is a noninvasive, non-thermal therapy that uses focused ultrasound energy to mechanically destroy targeted tissue. The technology creates microscopic "bubble clouds" within the targeted area, which rapidly form and collapse to disrupt tissue at the cellular level.

The procedure is performed without incisions or needles and allows care teams to monitor the treatment effect in real time. Histotripsy provides an additional treatment option for clinically appropriate patients with liver tumors and expands access to care in Central Indiana.

"For the first time, patients in central Indiana now have access to histotripsy, a noninvasive treatment option for liver tumors." said Michael Shaw, Chief Strategy Officer, Ascension St. Vincent. "At Ascension St. Vincent, we're continually looking for ways to advance high-quality care and give our physicians innovative tools to meet the individual needs of the people we serve. We're proud of Dr. Flanders and the entire team for bringing this technology to our community and expanding access to advanced care close to home."

Histotripsy is delivered using the Edison System, which focuses high-amplitude, short-duration ultrasound pulses on a targeted area of the body. The energy generates and collapses bubble clouds from gases naturally present in the tissue, creating mechanical forces designed to destroy targeted tissue without the use of heat, incisions or needles.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Flanders and the Ascension St. Vincent care team. The addition of histotripsy further expands Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis' treatment capabilities and reflects the health system's commitment to bringing innovative technologies and care to patients close to home.