Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation Approaching $1 Million Mark in Research Award Disbursements
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation has disbursed nearly $1 million in research awards for work on a breakthrough medical technology and is making more project funding available in 2010.
The Foundation's initial ten awards -- each worth approximately $100,000 -- have advanced research and development of patient treatments using Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound (FUS). A non-invasive technology, FUS harnesses very high-frequency sound waves to perform procedures that could eliminate the need for surgery and radiation therapy.
Distributed through the Foundation's Research Award Program, the funding has supported a wide range of activities. "The breadth and success of research has been impressive," says Hannah Edelen, Director of Research and Fellowship Administration. "Projects have ranged from preclinical assessments of immune response to focused ultrasound all the way to a pilot clinical trial using FUS to successfully treat patients with chronic pain."
Five of the Foundation's funded projects have been completed. To date, four -- 80 percent -- of them have yielded published results; four projects have received follow-on funding from other organizations. Such high rates of publication and follow-on funding are excellent indicators of the program's success, notes Edelen.
The Foundation has established an independent Research Advisory Committee to review all award applications. Emphasis is placed on funding projects with high potential for rapidly developing clinical indications for MR-Guided FUS. To help accelerate FUS research and development worldwide, the Foundation encourages its award recipients to participate in a collaborative network of researchers who share results and leverage complimentary infrastructure.
Edelen says that the Research Award Program also aims to increase awareness of MR-Guided FUS technology and techniques and to facilitate regulatory approval and reimbursement for patient procedures in which it is used. She adds, "We're continuing to accept award applications on a rolling basis and look forward to funding more successful projects this year."
About the Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation
Founded in 2006 and based in Charlottesville, Virginia, the Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation is dedicated to accelerating research and development of patient treatments using one of today's most revolutionary and promising medical technologies: non-invasive Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound (FUS). The Foundation's work is motivated by the belief that FUS treatments could become the ultimate in minimally-invasive surgery, serve as a viable alternative to radiation therapy and offer a new platform for precise drug delivery - applications with the potential to alleviate suffering, save lives and quicken recovery times for millions of patients worldwide.
By promoting communication, collaboration and coordination, the Foundation has become a vital nexus for researchers, clinicians, manufacturers, philanthropists and other stakeholders in the FUS arena. The Foundation is funding translational and clinical research, providing fellowships for training physicians and scientists, hosting symposia and workshops, maintaining online informational resources and establishing FUS Centers of Excellence. Complete information about the Foundation and its work can be found at http://fusfoundation.org/
This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise(TM). For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com.
SOURCE Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation
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