Blog

Foundation-funded Clot Lysis Research Presented at ISTU

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Matt Eames, PhD, senior project engineer for the Focused Ultrasound Foundation’s Brain Program, filed this report from Heidelberg, Germany where he is attending the annual conference of the International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound (ISTU): Sonothrombolysis was a featured topic at the Sunday, June 10 session. Clot lysis research funded by the Focused Ultrasound Foundation was presented by Stephen Monteith, MD of the University of Virginia. Monteith, who uses the InSightec ExAblate system, described his success lysing blood clots in an in-vitro experimental setup and how this led to a pre-clinical trial involving the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in pigs.  Dr. Monteith went on to present preliminary results from the lysis of ICH blood clots in a human cadaveric model. Also of note was a persuasive argument from Dr. Bill Culp of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to move towards clinical trials for ischemic stroke. There was also a presentation from Cerevast on their upcoming Phase III clinical trial for a battery-powered, unfocused ultrasonic head transducer to enhance tPA delivery and/or provide more expedient, ambulance-based treatment to stroke patients. More information on this study may be found on ClinicalTrials.gov.    
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ExAblate Named One of Israel's Top 64 Innovations

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In honor of Israel’s 64th birthday, the online news magazine ISRAEL21c spotlighted the country’s 64 top innovations, including InSightec’s ExAblate MR-guided focused ultrasound system. Responding to the news, InSightec’s President and Chief Executive Officer Kobi Vortman, PhD wrote to his collegues, “As part of the exceptional InSightec team, we are all pushing the state of the art with a vision that we will help millions of people that desperately need help. Innovation, hard work, dedication and perseverance by all of you made it happen. It is a great honor, that on Independence Day, we were selected to be one of the top all-time 64 innovations.” Read news story.
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Celsion and Philips Plan Study of Patients with Prostate Cancer Metastasized to the Bone

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Celsion Corporation and Philips Healthcare have resubmitted an Investigational New Drug/ Investigational Device Exemption application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a Phase II patient study. The trial will evaluate a combined therapy using Celsion’s liposome encapsulated drug, ThermoDox, and the Philips Sonalleve MR-guided high intensity focused ultrasound system for the treatment of prostate cancer metastasizes to the bone. The study is set to launch following FDA acceptance of the proposed program. Read press release.
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Sunnybrook Trial Treats First ET Patient

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A neurosurgery team at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto has successfully treated the first patient enrolled in a clinical trial assessing focused ultrasound as a therapy for essential tremor. Funded by the Foundation, the study is open to residents of Canada and is expected to treat six patients. For more information, contact research coordinator Karen Ng at 416-790-0809.
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Donor Commits $1 Million and Encourages Others to Join the 'Focused Ultrasound Revolution'

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The Foundation recently received a $1 million unrestricted gift from a supporter who wishes to remain anonymous and hopes others will also get involved. “I am inspired by the impact being made by the Foundation and am delighted that my gift has the potential to improve life for millions of people,” the donor said. “Focused ultrasound represents a revolution in noninvasive medicine, and I encourage others to join me in helping accelerate the Foundation’s momentum.” If you are interested in supporting the Foundation, contact Kimberly Skelly at 434-326-9830 or kskelly@fusfoundation.org.  
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