Focused Ultrasound is an early-stage, non-invasive therapeutic technology that could transform the treatment of many medical disorders by serving as an alternative to surgery and radiation.

Jessica Foley and Nora Seilheimer at the SSV meeting at the Senior Center

Jessica Foley, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, and Nora Seilheimer, its director of external affairs, spoke to SSV on April 11, 2018.  They stated that, unfortunately, taking a new therapeutic medical device from concept to standard of care is an extremely slow, complicated and inefficient process. The Focused Ultrasound Foundation is working to provide patients with the focused ultrasound option in the shortest time possible. It has become a model of how donor funding can be used to bridge the gap between laboratory research and widespread patient treatment.  SSV vice president Terry Cooper introduced the speakers and moderated the Q&A after the presentation. In this podcast you will learn about some of their early success stories.

Jessica Foley is a veteran of the ultrasound field and guides the strategy, development and implementation of the Foundation’s scientific and research programs. She holds a B.S.E. from Duke University and a Ph.D. from the University of Washington.

Nora Seilheimer is a graduate of the University of Richmond and is engaged in development work for the foundation.

Program Summary

The program– Medical Breakthroughs in Our Backyard: The Focused Ultrasound Foundation — was presented by Jessica Foley, Ph.D., chief scientific officer for the Focused Ultrasound Foundation. She was accompanied by Nora Seilheimer, the Foundation’s director of external affairs. “Focused ultrasound” (FUS) is an early stage, revolutionary, disruptive non-invasive therapeutic technology that is an alternative or complement to surgery, radiation therapy and drug delivery. It has the potential to transform treatment with improved outcomes and decreased cost.

Founded in Charlottesville in 2006, the Foundation provides unique medical research, education, and advocacy with a global impact. It is tax exempt, entrepreneurial, high impact, market driven, and action and results oriented. In short, a catalyst to accelerate the development and adoption of FUS.

Unfortunately, taking a new therapeutic medical device from concept to standard of care is an extremely slow, complicated and inefficient process. The Focused Ultrasound Foundation is working to provide patients with the focused ultrasound option in the shortest time possible. It has become a model of how donor funding can be used to bridge the gap between laboratory research and widespread patient treatment.

Jessica explained the process of Immunomodulation, the modification of the immune response or the functioning of the immune system. Cancer cells are camouflaged from the immune system, but FUS destroys camouflage and exposes cancer cells. The immune system recognizes and attacks tumors, both primary and metastatic, and enhances effectiveness of immunotherapeutics.

PowerPoint slides were employed in the presentation both to help communicate the very complex information and also to show videos of the incredible patient improvements such as the reversal of crippling Parkinson’s disease.

The comment repeatedly expressed by departing audience members was, “It’s a miracle!”