Same duty cycle, very different outcomes: What tough materials taught us about histotripsy

Researchers discovered why histotripsy, a focused ultrasound technique using cavitation bubbles to mechanically break down tissue, works more effectively on some tissues than others. Unlike thermal ablation that heats tissue, histotripsy relies on rapid bubble activity to create mechanical stress that progressively disrupts tissue structure. Understanding these differences in tissue resistance is crucial for optimizing this non-invasive treatment approach for various medical applications, potentially improving clinical outcomes across multiple conditions. The findings could help refine histotripsy protocols for better precision and effectiveness in targeted tissue treatment.