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            Auburn University - University Relations
                         (334) 844-9999
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5/26/95                                  Sam Hendrix (334) 844-3698

AUBURN PIONEERING ULTRASOUND SURGERY PROCEDURES
     AUBURN -- Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine
has become the world's first veterinary program to test and develop
applications for a new type of surgery that could revolutionize
human gynecological treatments. 
     Called "High Frequency Focused Ultrasound," the procedure 
essentially combines traditional ultrasound with an energized beam
to  perform surgery on precise locations. The beam is around 1
million times  the energy of a regular ultrasound.   
     "This is brand new. We're the only veterinary college in the 
world to have one right now," says Earl Cartee, associate professor
of  anatomy and histology at AU and a pioneer in veterinary
ultrasonography.  
     The device -- produced by Focus Surgery of Fremont, Calif. -- 
connects a computer station with a probe that contains a
beam-producing  crystal. A surgeon can use the ultrasound aspect of
the probe to locate a  tumor on, for example, a cow's uterus, and
then focus the beam for four  seconds on the tumor to destroy the
cancerous tissue with intense heat.    
     "The use of focused ultrasound is not new, but the technology
to do it this precisely is new," Cartee said.  "This type of
procedure is  being used to treat prostate cancer in men, though it
hasn't been  approved yet for use in this country. Our goal is to
develop other uses  for it, specifically in terms of cancers of the
female reproductive system. And we are told we are the world's
first to  try this."   
     For Cartee and others at the AU College of Veterinary
Medicine,  that means developing procedures applicable to treating
cancers in cows,  sheep and other large and small animals. The
knowledge gained through  these procedures could lead to
advancements in human medicine.    
     "If the procedures prove effective, we would some day be able
to  offer women alternative, non-invasive gynecological
treatments," said Jim  Baun, a senior clinical coordinator with
Focus Surgery who help AU set up  the machine and taught faculty
members and students how to use it.   
     "We hope the Auburn researchers can help us answer some 
preliminary questions related to biological effects the beam may
have on  uterine and adjacent tissue and on the capability of
different power  levels," he said.   
     The goal, both scientists say, is to render certain invasive 
surgeries unnecessary.                                            
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     CONTACT: Cartee, 334/ 844-6744.