May 2007: GE Collaboration Announced and more...

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Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation
In This Issue
GE Collaboration Announced
Research Program
Fellowship Program
Clinical Trials
Featured Papers
Quick Links
 
Dear ,
The Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation has taken an important step in its mission to accelerate the development and adoption of MR-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery with the launch of its Fellowship and Research programs. The new programs, made possible by the generous support of individuals and corporations, are a cornerstone for the Foundation's efforts and greatly increase our ability to positively impact the health and the lives of millions of patients around the world.
 
For more information on these and all programs of the FUSF, including specifc instructions on applying to the fellowship and research programs, please visit www.fusfoundation.org. While there, check out our calendar of events, which covers a wide range of upcoming happenings in the world of focused ultrasound surgery. Watch for a site redesign in mid-May that will make it easier than ever before to receive the very latest news and information related to this rapidly growing discipline.
 
 
FUS Foundation Announces $5.4M Collaboration with GE Healthcare
The Foundation has announced a research collaboration with GE Healthcare that will make $5.4M of equipment and support available to the FUS research community over the next five years.
 
"Our collaboration with the Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation reinforces GE's commitment to investing in innovative technologies that will change the way healthcare is delivered to patients, specifically through the expansion of MR-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) applications," said Rami Liebenthal, general manager of interventional MR at GE Healthcare.
 
GE Healthcare will consign two 3T MR systems, with a value of $2.4M each, to be used primarily for MRgFUS research. An additional $600K in project funding, to be provided over a 3-year period, is earmarked for MRgFUS research.
 
"By partnering with GE Healthcare, one of the foremost pioneers in the field of MRgFUS, we are able to provide our growing researcher and practitioner communities with the very latest and best resources available today and to further expand the reach of this revolutionary discipline," said FUSF COO Alexander Crosby.
 
Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation Launches Research Program
The Foundation is proud to announce the launch of a comprehensive research program that will provide funding, information and support to a global network of leading research professionals working in the field of MR-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery. The program will primarily fund preclinical research, small clinical trials and pilot studies and features three specific goals:
  • To develop new applications for focused ultrasound surgery
  • To increase the awareness of focused ultrasound surgery and techniques
  • To facilitate regulatory approval and reimbursement for focused ultrasound procedures.
Each year the foundation will honor several innovative research projects with annual support in the range of $100K-$200K. The Foundation will also consider larger awards for exceptional proposals.
 
We are currently accepting research award applications for 2007-2008. For more information or to learn how to submit your proposals, visit our website at www.fusfoundation.org.
 
Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation Launches Fellowship Program
The FUS Foundation has announced an important development in its educational efforts with the launch of its Fellowship Program. The foundation will award a select number of professionals with a one-year fellowship that will include centralized training, intensive mentoring and an annual meeting of the fellows. Each fellowship will provide up to $100K in support of training for participating physicians.
 
The FUSF Fellowship Program is designed to move FUS forward through the following initiatives:
  • Training a cadre of clinicians and investigators in clinical FUS treatment
  • Developing new applications for FUS
  • Creating FUS centers
  • Establishing the standards for training, competencies, certification and credentialing for focused ultrasound surgery.
The Foundation will fund the first group of Fellows by July 1, 2007. Fellows will come from a diverse set of specialties including Radiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urology, Neurosurgery, and Radiation Oncology.
 
Fellowship applications are currently being accepted for both the 2007 and 2008 academic years. For more information on this program visit our website.
 
Clinical Practice
SightLine CEO discusses treatment in a pre-reimbursement environment
SightLine Health shares their experiences treating patients for uterine fibroids with the Exablate 2000 system from InSightec.
 
Clinical Trials
Phase II and III clinical trials for the treatment of prostate cancer using the Ablatherm HIFU device are resuming this month.
Misonix has established a Prostate Cancer Treatment Clinical Registry for procedures performed using their Sonablate 500 system.
 
Technology and Industry
Effects of SonoVue microbubble contrast agent on HIFU tissue ablation 
SonoVue, a microbubble sonographic contrast agent, has been shown to improve the ablation efficiency of high intensity focused ultrasound.
 
Featured Papers
Thermal ablation accuracy examined of an MRgFUS procedure on the brain through craniotomies on pig models.
Research indicates that in addition to ablation and cavitation, focused ultrasound disruption of cancerous tissue can also trigger an immune response which attacks the cancerous tissue.
Targeted delivery of chemotherapy agents to the brain using MRgFU
MRI imaging suggests that real time observation of the delivery of antitumor brain cancer agents is possible after the blood brain barrier has been opened with focused ultrasound.
 
We are always looking for new content so if you know of anything that we should be covering, please let us know at news@fusfoundation.org.
 
Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation | 230 Court Square, Suite 202 | Charlottesville | VA | 22902