Foundation, Sonic Concepts, and Verasonics Partner on Preclinical Research Platform

Published: 30 January 2019

The Foundation has signed a Research Funding Agreement with two well-known companies in the focused ultrasound industry to develop a turnkey ultrasound-guided preclinical research system.

Verasonics, a leader in research ultrasound, and Sonic Concepts, Inc., an innovator of high-performance transducers, will work to expand the HIFUPlex Portfolio into systems that can treat both large and small animals. The new devices will offer 3D positioning, planning, and therapy delivery as well as therapy monitoring. The Foundation will advise the two companies on device usability and software applications.

Leading the project from the Foundation’s team will be John Snell, PhD, Technical Director of the Brain Program, and Frederic Padilla, PhD, our current Richard Merkin Scholar and associate professor at the Laboratory of Therapeutic Applications of Ultrasound in Lyon, France.

SonicConcepts logo “Introducing a turnkey preclinical system can transform early focused ultrasound research,” said Snell. “To date, much of the preclinical research in the field has been using custom devices created by engineers at each site. This type of device can enable clinicians who are interested in preclinical research to create labs quickly without the hurdle of creating their own system. I also hope it will help standardize research so that we can easily compare data from multiple sites knowing that the same device was used.”

“Ultrasound-guided focused ultrasound has become an exciting tool to treat or manage different medical conditions for improved outcomes,” said Jessica L. Foley, PhD, the Foundation’s Chief Scientific Officer. “We are looking forward to teaming up with Verasonics and Sonic Concepts on this compelling and important research project.”

Read the Press Release from Verasonics and Sonic Concepts >