Focused ultrasound is an early-stage, non-invasive and incision-free therapeutic technology with the potential to transform the treatment of many medical disorders, by using ultrasonic energy to target tissue deep in the body without incisions or radiation.
Focused ultrasound is the pairing of two innovative technologies:
- Focused ultrasound—which provides the energy to treat tissue deep in the body precisely and noninvasively
- Magnetic resonance or ultrasound imaging—which is used to identify and target the tissue to be treated, guide and control the treatment in real time, and confirm the effectiveness of the treatment.
Watch this video on our new approach to treat essential tremor using MRgFUS.
With focused ultrasound, an acoustic lens is used to concentrate multiple intersecting beams of ultrasound on a target deep in the body with extreme precision and accuracy. Depending on the design of the lens and the ultrasound parameters, the target can be as small as 1x1.5mm or as large as 10x16mm in diameter.
The fundamental principle is equivalent to using a magnifying glass to focus beams of sunlight on a single point to burn a hole in a leaf. Where each of the individual beams passes through the tissue, there is no effect. But, at the focal point, the convergence of the multiple beams of focused ultrasound energy results in many important biological effects, creating the possibility of treating a variety of medical disorders.
Read more about the FDA’s approval of focused ultrasound for essential tremor.
Appointments
If you are interested in focused ultrasound for tremor, it is important to note:
- To book an appointment or for more details, please call or email program at:
- Insurance plans are beginning to cover this procedure.
- Not everyone with tremor is eligible for focused ultrasound; eligibility requires evaluation by a neurologist and a neurosurgeon.
We currently only offer this service at our main campus, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115. Click here for directions.
Our Team
Our surgeons, as part of work with a multidisciplinary team of physician specialists to create an individualized treatment plan for each patient in order to provide the best possible treatment. The multidisciplinary team includes specialists in neurosurgery, neuro-radiology, neuro-physiology and neurology.