State of the Technology

Focused ultrasound has the potential to transform the treatment of a variety of serious medical conditions.

The pace of research and development, publications, patient treatments, and the number of device manufacturers have all increased rapidly in the past few years.

The Foundation produces its own State of the Field Report each year to chart the technology’s progress around the world.

Research, Development, and Commercialization

Some applications of the technology are approved for commercial use and are available in medical treatment centers around the world.  Other uses are still undergoing research, with opportunities for patients to participate in clinical trials at leading medical research institutions. Even more potential uses of the technology are in the early stages of technical research.

Industry Expansion Leads to Patient Treatments

The field now includes at least 70 device manufacturers, as well as a broad range of original equipment manufacturers, microbubble companies, and distributors that are essential to the technology’s expansion. In 2023, there were 141,368 new patient treatments made possible by 1,642 focused ultrasound devices now installed at sites around the world. 

Research Advances Globally

Teams around the world are exploring 30 different mechanisms of action, or ways in which therapeutic ultrasound can be applied to produce a bioeffect. In 2023, the field saw the addition of 27 new clinical research sites worldwide. The greatest growth was in North America, with 9 new centers. The Foundation also identified 271 new commercial treatment sites in 2023. Of the 1,203 total treatment sites, 50% are in Asia, with China leading the region.