E-learning course

In this module the problem of measuring temperature under ultrasound exposure is presented. Dr. Piero Miloro from the National Physical Laboratory (UK) will introduce the topic of why temperature increases in tissues when exposed to ultrasound waves and why is it important to quantify the temperature. Professor Gail ter Haar from the Institute of Cancer Research will talk about the effects ultrasound has on biological tissues, of which temperature is one of the most relevant. These effects can be beneficial or dangerous depending on the intended scope. Finally, Dr Piero Miloro will give an overview of the current methods to measure temperature increase, with their advantages and drawbacks.

In this module a background of the problem will be provided. Dr Gianni Durando from the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (IT) will provide regulatory background, mostly addressing requirements for diagnostic ultrasound scanners, while Dr Antonello Spinelli from Ospedale San Raffaele (IT) and Professor Gail ter Haar will discuss the exploitation of temperature increase for therapeutic purposes, addressing hyperthermia (often in combination with radiotherapy) and thermal ablation respectively. Finally Dr Silvia Pozzi from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (IT) will provide the background on the use of simulations to predict temperature increase in tissues.

In this module temperature measurements in laboratory environment are discussed. The measurements are made on phantoms, generally composed of tissue mimicking materials. Dr. Aoife Ivory from the National Physical Laboratory (UK) will introduce these materials, their properties and use. Thermochromic materials as temperature sensors will also be discussed. Dr. Raphaela Baesso from the National Physical Laboratory (UK) will discuss about thermocouples as commonly used point sensors to measure temperature. An example of use of thermocouples for High Intensity Focused Ultrasound temperature measurements is provided by Dr Baki Karaboce from Tubitak (TR) as a separate annex to this lesson. Finally, Dr. Piero Miloro will talk about the use of infrared thermography to measure surface temperature.

The last module will introduce the two basic techniques in use in clinics for the measurement of temperature increase during ultrasound exposure, namely ultrasound thermography, presented by Dr. Nazmul Hossain from the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (DE) and Professor Ahmet Baş’s from the İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa (TR) respectively.