In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Patrick Hope, Executive Director of AdvaMed's Medical Imaging Division, about the critical but often unseen world of medical technology policy and advocacy that makes innovative treatments like focused ultrasound accessible to patients. Patrick shares how AdvaMed, an advocacy organization for the med tech industry, collaborates on initiatives to increase awareness among policymakers, improve reimbursement, and champion legislation that accelerates patient access to lifesaving innovations. Discussion highlights:

• Breakthrough Policy Initiative: Hear about upcoming legislation that could transform how focused ultrasound and other technologies reach patients by eliminating the lengthy CMS reimbursement process, and providing 4-5 years of Medicare coverage for breakthrough medical devices immediately after FDA approval.
• Patient-Centered Advocacy Strategy: Learn about AdvaMed's unique "Right Scan, Right Time" campaign, which has over 30,000 patient advocates, and its powerful Capitol Hill fly-in events, where patients, providers, and companies work together to share compelling stories with lawmakers. These include dramatic before-and-after videos that show the life-changing impact of treatments like focused ultrasound for essential tremor.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ---------------------------- QUESTIONS? Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

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In this episode of Curing with Sound, we explore how focused ultrasound is being studied as a treatment for depression and anxiety, told through the perspectives of both a leading researcher and a veteran who experienced it firsthand. Noah Philip, MD, is a professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University's Alpert Medical School and a leading expert on focused ultrasound neuromodulation for psychiatric conditions. He discusses his research using low-intensity focused ultrasound to modulate the amygdala for the treatment of depression and anxiety in veterans.

Joining him is Nick Marinelli, an Iraq War veteran and Black Hawk mechanic who participated in Dr. Philip’s revolutionary clinical trial after struggling with depression and anxiety for over a decade following his deployment. Nick shares his experience receiving focused ultrasound treatments and the immediate improvements he noticed in his daily mood and his ability to be present with his family, particularly during meaningful moments like his daughter's kindergarten graduation.

Discussion highlights:

• Revolutionary Mental Health Technology: Discover how focused ultrasound neuromodulation offers millimeter-scale precision to target deep brain structures like the amygdala. This noninvasive alternative to traditional psychiatric treatments has the potential to transform mental healthcare for treatment-resistant conditions.
• From Research to Real-World Impact: Hear about Dr. Philip's advocacy efforts, including his 2024 congressional briefing to expand access to focused ultrasound treatments, and the upcoming four-year VA-funded trial aimed at optimizing dosing strategies for clinical implementation across underserved communities.

All patient stories featured on the Curing with Sound podcast are personal accounts of an individual’s experience with focused ultrasound treatment. Please be aware that each patient’s situation is unique, and outcomes may vary. The information provided in this story should not be considered as medical advice or a guarantee of specific results. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare provider to discuss your condition and determine the best treatment options for you. The Focused Ultrasound Foundation does not endorse any specific treatment or medical procedure and encourages all patients to seek professional medical guidance tailored to their individual needs.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ---------------------------- QUESTIONS? Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

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In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Bill Traynor, a Canadian adventurer whose life shifted dramatically when he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), a neurodegenerative disorder with an average life expectancy of just two to five years. Once enjoying high-impact activities like skydiving, race car driving, and scuba diving, Bill's active lifestyle came to an abrupt halt.

Determined to face the diagnosis head-on, Bill became the first person to participate in a focused ultrasound clinical trial at Sunnybrook Research Institute, where researchers used a newly developed helmet to noninvasively and temporarily open the blood-brain barrier. This breakthrough allowed direct delivery of immunotherapy to his brain to reduce ALS-related neuroinflammation.

Discussion highlights:

• World-First Medical Breakthrough: Researchers used a new domed helmet, designed to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier in very specific regions of the brain, helping push more medication into areas affected by ALS. This new helmet provides enhanced image guidance, faster treatment times, and targeting capacity for the investigation of personalized therapies for patients with a variety of neurological conditions and diseases of the brain
• Promising Early Results: After treatment, the medication delivered to the brain stays in the tissue for two to eight weeks. Researchers will now track the trial participants over the next five months before deciding whether and how to expand this research.

All patient stories featured on the Curing with Sound podcast are personal accounts of an individual’s experience with focused ultrasound treatment. Please be aware that each patient’s situation is unique, and outcomes may vary. The information provided in this story should not be considered as medical advice or a guarantee of specific results. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare provider to discuss your condition and determine the best treatment options for you. The Focused Ultrasound Foundation does not endorse any specific treatment or medical procedure and encourages all patients to seek professional medical guidance tailored to their individual needs.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ---------------------------- QUESTIONS? Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

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In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Rosie Xing, PhD, Managing Director of Global Planning, International Marketing, and Business at Chongqing Haifu Medical Technology, a world leader in noninvasive focused ultrasound systems. Founded in 1999 by Professor Zhibiao Wang, Chongqing Haifu has revolutionized treatment for patients across 400 medical centers worldwide, with their technology now installed in 32 countries outside China.

Prof. Xing shares about the growth of Chongqing Haifu, starting with the first therapeutic system to treat osteosarcoma. Now, their devices can treat conditions such as uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and cancers of the liver, breast, pancreas, kidneys, and bones, in addition to other diseases. She also discusses the company’s collaborations with professional societies, research centers, and academic institutions worldwide.

Discussion highlights:

• Unprecedented Global Impact: Discover how Chongqing Haifu has treated over 260,000 women for uterine fibroids and enabled more than 3,500 babies to be born through fertility-preserving focused ultrasound treatments, addressing critical healthcare needs, especially in regions where fibroid incidence reaches 80%.
• Comprehensive Treatment Portfolio: Learn about the evolution from treating the first osteosarcoma patient in 1997 to today's diverse applications spanning benign conditions, multiple cancer types, and palliative care for metastatic lesions, demonstrating the versatility of focused ultrasound technology.
• Training Centers: Chongqing Haifu established 13 training bases in mainland China, offering immersive instruction using simulators, live case observations, hands-on practice, and mentorship from experts in the FUS field for international researchers and medical staff.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ---------------------------- QUESTIONS? Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

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In this episode of Curing with Sound, we hear the remarkable story of Monica Russell, who has lived with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for nearly 30 years. Diagnosed at age nine, Monica pursued a wide range of conventional and alternative treatments before participating in a focused ultrasound clinical trial at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. Following two noninvasive treatments, she experienced immediate relief from depression and a sustained 35–40% reduction in OCD symptoms over the following year and a half.

Monica shares a candid account of her struggles with debilitating OCD, including the painful compulsions and time-consuming rituals that affected her personal and professional life. Her experience offers valuable insight into the challenges of living with treatment-resistant OCD and the life-changing potential of focused ultrasound as a breakthrough therapy for psychiatric conditions.

Discussion highlights:

• Focused Ultrasound as a Treatment Option: The episode outlines how focused ultrasound helped reduce Monica’s depression and OCD symptoms when other therapies had limited effect.
• Advancing Research Through Clinical Trials: Monica’s story underscores the critical role of clinical trials in evaluating new treatment options for patients with treatment-resistant OCD. Her participation highlights the need for continued funding and enrollment in focused ultrasound research to expand access and improve outcomes for others facing similar challenges.

  EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ---------------------------- QUESTIONS? Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

  Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

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In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Shiro Horisawa, MD, Director of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at Tokyo Women's Medical University, who discusses innovative applications of focused ultrasound technology for treating dystonia and other movement disorders. Dr. Horisawa shares insights from his extensive clinical experience, including over 1,500 stereotactic brain surgeries, and how focused ultrasound offers patients a noninvasive alternative to conventional treatments.

Dr. Horisawa also details his clinical trial using focused ultrasound for cervical dystonia, a neurological disorder causing involuntary muscle contractions in the neck that can lead to abnormal head postures and significant pain. This Foundation-funded trial demonstrated an average improvement of 43% in symptoms six months after treatment, and no serious treatment-related complications.

Discussion highlights:

• Noninvasive Precision Treatment: Focused ultrasound offers patients the benefits of traditional treatments without incisions or implanted devices, making it an attractive option for those resistant to conventional surgical approaches.
• Clinical Trial Results and Unexpected Benefits: Discover the outcomes of Dr. Horisawa's cervical dystonia trial and the surprising improvements in comorbid conditions like anxiety and hypertension that suggest broader applications for the technology.
• Hand Dystonia Research: Dr. Horisawa discusses his upcoming clinical trial for hand dystonia, a condition that can significantly impact the daily activities of individuals who rely on fine motor skills, particularly musicians, writers, and athletes.

  EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ---------------------------- QUESTIONS? Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

  Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

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According to the American Cancer Society, approximately one in eight men will be diagnosed with a prostate condition during their lifetime. Focused ultrasound offers a noninvasive, radiation-free treatment option for prostate conditions and has been approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States.

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we explore focused ultrasound for prostate cancer through the lens of a patient and a patient advocate. Bob Palmer, who underwent the TULSA-PRO procedure - a minimally invasive, incision-free treatment - discusses his decision-making process and treatment experience. He is joined by Eve Satterthwaite, a registered nurse and patient educator at Profound Medical. She provides an overview of what patients can expect from the procedure and her role in guiding them through treatment.

Bob shares how Eve helped him evaluate treatment options after his prostate cancer diagnosis and what led him to choose TULSA-PRO, particularly in light of potential side effects associated with surgery and radiation. Eve explains how she helps patients understand their options, outlines the clinical benefits of the TULSA procedure, and addresses common patient concerns.

Discussion highlights:

• Modern Prostate Treatment Options: An overview of the TULSA-PRO procedure, an FDA-approved treatment that offers an incision-free alternative to traditional prostate cancer treatments, with minimal downtime and reduced risk of side effects affecting quality of life.
• Informed Choices Through Education: Insights into how clear, comprehensive information about available treatments can help patients make confident, well-informed decisions.

All patient stories featured on the Curing with Sound podcast are personal accounts of an individual’s experience with focused ultrasound treatment. Please be aware that each patient’s situation is unique, and outcomes may vary. The information provided in this story should not be considered as medical advice or a guarantee of specific results. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare provider to discuss your condition and determine the best treatment options for you. The Focused Ultrasound Foundation does not endorse any specific treatment or medical procedure and encourages all patients to seek professional medical guidance tailored to their individual needs.

Visit TULSAprocedure.com for more information EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ---------------------------- QUESTIONS? Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

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In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Eli Vlaisavljevich, PhD, an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Virginia Tech and a renowned innovator in histotripsy, the first completely noninvasive and nonthermal ablation method for treating cancer.

The conversation explores histotripsy's expanding applications across multiple conditions, from its FDA-approved use in liver tumors to promising research in pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, sarcomas, and more. Dr. Vlaisavljevich also discusses the innovative work his lab is conducting in veterinary medicine, treating dogs, cats, and horses with naturally occurring tumors, which in turn accelerates the development of human applications.

Discussion highlights:

• Revolutionary Technology: Dr. Vlaisavljevich explains how histotripsy uses focused ultrasound pulses to generate cavitation bubbles that mechanically break down targeted tissue while preserving critical structures like blood vessels and nerves - a capability that sets it apart from traditional ablation methods.
• Interdisciplinary Innovation: Discover the collaborative nature of focused ultrasound research, bringing together engineers, clinicians, and immunologists to develop customized devices for different clinical scenarios.
• Next-Generation Approaches: Explore cutting-edge developments including nanoparticle-mediated histotripsy that can target specific cancer cells and combination therapies that enhance immune responses against metastatic disease.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ---------------------------- QUESTIONS? Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

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