Ultrasound System Treats Neurological Disorders in the Brain

A novel transcranial focused ultrasound system treats neurological disorders in the brain, including essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and neuropathic pain.

The ExAblate Neuro system is based on magnetic resonance guided Focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) technology, which combines a high intensity focused ultrasound beam that noninvasively heats and destroys targeted tissue, together with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system which visualizes patient anatomy in 3 orientations for precise tumor targeting, and controls the treatment by continuously monitoring the tissue effect. The precise anatomical MRI shows the tumor and surrounding organs, and are used to position the patient and to plan the treatment to ensure exact tumor targeting.

MRI guidance and control also provide beam path visualization for controlled treatment (since the focused ultrasound beam can be seen during the treatment, ensuring that the ultrasound travels through a safe pathway to the focus), MR thermometry for real-time and continuous temperature feedback (allowing the physician to see temperature changes in the tumor during treatment), and post-treatment contrast imaging for precise treatment validation. The temperature maps are displayed as a color map superimposed on the anatomical MRI image; this allows the physician to observe temperature changes continuously during treatment.

The ExAblate device itself consists of a helmet-like apparatus with thousands of individual ultrasound elements powered by a phased array transducer. Since the high ultrasound absorption in bone results in an increase in bone temperature, which may result in brain-tissue coagulation near the skull, chilled water is constantly circulated around the skull during the treatment. Additionally, since the skull has a variable thickness and density, which causes the ultrasound beam to become defocused, CT images are used to reconstruct the skull for targeting. The ExAblate Neuro system is a product of InSightec (Tirat Carmel, Israel), and has received the European Community CE marking of approval.

“Because of its targeting accuracy, real time treatment monitoring, and ability to provide noninvasive brain treatment, there is hope that many people who suffer from neurological diseases can benefit from this treatment,” said Kobi Vortman, MD, President of InSightec. “Results from the clinical studies showed that patients, many of whom who suffered for years from neurological disorders, experienced immediate symptom improvement with a high safety profile. These patients are now better able to conduct activities of daily living and are also less dependent on external caregiver support.”

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