As 2021 comes to a close, we reflect on another challenging year in the face of the pandemic. Although we all hoped by this time COVID-19’s grip on the way we live and work would have relented, we have been astounded by the resiliency of the focused ultrasound community. Research continues at a blistering pace, and new clinical trials are exploring focused ultrasound as an option for patients with deadly brain tumors, trigeminal neuralgia, neuropathic pain, liver tumors, and opioid addiction, among others. We have also seen regulatory wins this year for Parkinson’s disease, desmoid tumors, and prostate diseases. In the world of reimbursement, focused ultrasound for essential tremor is now covered by Aetna – the first national insurance payor in the US – and the national governmental insurance in the UK. There have also been positive coverage decisions for prostate disorders and histotripsy of liver tumors.
That progress would not be possible without the commitment and perseverance of the entire focused ultrasound community. We extend our sincere gratitude to you for your dedication every day to the endgame of improving patients’ lives with this technology as soon as possible.
As the field continues to push the envelope in translating innovative ideas into clinical research – with an astounding 160 or more indications currently in various stages of research and development – the Foundation’s role becomes increasingly important. This year, we marked our 15th anniversary, and we humbly recognize that our success has been made possible solely by the generosity of our donors and friends. Without their support, the Foundation would not exist.
We look forward to 2022, and although much uncertainty remains in the world, we are optimistic and eager to see how the field advances in the new year as we continue to improve lives with focused ultrasound. We wish all of you and your families a happy, healthy holiday season!
The Foundation was founded in 2006 to accelerate the development and adoption of focused ultrasound.
Fifteen years later, Chairman Neal F. Kassell, MD, reflects on the growth of both the field and the Foundation’s efforts in an interview with device manufacturer Insightec.
Suzanne LeBlang, MD, the Foundation’s Director of Clinical Relationships, recorded a presentation on the current state of research of focused ultrasound for glioblastoma (GBM).
She shared a similar update with the Foundation's Board of Directors at their quarterly meeting last month.
Tim Meakem, MD, the Foundation’s Chief Medical Officer, recently presented to a Parkinson’s disease support group about the status of focused ultrasound for treating the disease.
He discussed the current research status of focused ultrasound for Parkinson's, including ongoing clinical trials and recent approvals.
The 107th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) was held November 28 through December 2 in Chicago.
In the “Best of Clinical Trials at RSNA 2021” session, one trial of Profound's TULSA-PRO device and two trials using the Insightec Exablate body system were highlighted.
The Society for Thermal Medicine (STM) will hold its 2022 Virtual Annual Meeting May 1-4, 2022. Registration is open, and the deadline for abstract submission is February 1.
