Focused Ultrasound Foundation

Last updated

The Focused Ultrasound Foundation (FUSF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, that promotes the use of image-guided focused ultrasound. The foundation is primarily funded through philanthropic donations. [1]

Contents

History

The Foundation was formed on the third of January in 2005, and received charity status in November of the same year. In October 2005 the Foundation hosted the 5th International Symposium on Therapeutic Ultrasound, at Harvard Medical School, which resulted in the largest-ever gathering of world experts in the use of ultrasound for the treatment of cancer and other disorders. Under the Foundation's charter it operates as an unincorporated association.

Formerly known as Foundation for Focused Ultrasound Research[ citation needed ] and Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation. [2]

In December 2019, Physics for Medicine Paris was inaugurated as a Center of Excellence, focusing on the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders. [3]

In September 2020, the Children’s National Hospital became the first pediatric hospital designated as a Center of Excellence, helping patients with specific types of childhood tumors. [4]

May 2022 marked the ten-year anniversary of Sunnybrook Health Science Centre conducting brain surgery without scalpels. In 2016, they were the only Canadian site designated by The Focused Ultrasound Foundation. [5]

Activities

The Foundation compiles and reports on web-based news related to focused ultrasound in therapeutic and diagnostic medicine, organizes and assists with symposia, discussions, and meetings pertaining to diagnostic and therapeutic focused ultrasound as well as student-related research programs. There is a strong concentration in high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The Association promotes collaborations between clinical and research groups via written and oral communication.

The Focused Ultrasound Foundation offers a fellowship program to high school and university students allowing them to work with the Foundation’s medical and research teams. They often partner up with the University of Virginia and Xavier University of Louisiana to help students begin their careers. [6]

Funding and media

The FUF has received attention in part because of The Tumor , a 2015 novella by legal thriller writer John Grisham about a future glioma patient who benefits from focused ultrasound treatment. Grisham is distributing the book at no cost to raise awareness about the therapy and the Foundation. Referencing the book and Foundation, Grisham states "This is the most important book I have ever written. I have found no other cause that can potentially save so many lives." [7]

In 2018, Virginia’s former governor, Ralph Northam visited the FUF to discuss state funding toward the technology. The Foundation received $11 million dollars of state funding under Northam’s predecessors. Northam pledged that he would continue the support and while also investing in education hoping to draw in more scientists. [8]

The Focused Ultrasound Foundation has been recognized by National Geographic UK for funding research regarding the ultrasound treatment technique that has the protentional to transform the treatment of life-threatening diseases and difficult-to-cure conditions. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neurosurgery</span> Medical specialty of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system.

Neurosurgery or neurological surgery, known in common parlance as brain surgery, is the medical specialty that focuses on the surgical treatment or rehabilitation of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system, and cerebrovascular system. Neurosurgery as a medical specialty also includes non-surgical management of some neurological conditions.

A trauma center, or trauma centre, is a hospital equipped and staffed to provide care for patients suffering from major traumatic injuries such as falls, motor vehicle collisions, or gunshot wounds. A trauma center may also refer to an emergency department without the presence of specialized services to care for victims of major trauma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Focused ultrasound</span> Non-invasive therapeutic technique

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), or MR-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery is an incision-less therapeutic technique that uses non-ionizing ultrasonic waves to heat or ablate tissue. HIFU can be used to increase the flow of blood or lymph or to destroy tissue, such as tumors, via thermal and mechanical mechanisms. Given the prevalence and relatively low cost of ultrasound generation mechanisms, the premise of HIFU is that it is expected to be a non-invasive and low-cost therapy that can at least outperform care in the operating room.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women's College Hospital</span> Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Women's College Hospital is a teaching hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located in downtown Toronto at the north end of Hospital Row, a section of University Avenue where several major hospitals are located. It currently functions as an independent ambulatory care hospital.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital</span> Hospital in New York, United States

Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian is a women's and children's hospital at 3959 Broadway, near West 165th Street, in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It is a part of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. The hospital treats patients aged 0–21 from New York City and around the world. The hospital features a dedicated regional ACS designated pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center and is named after financial firm Morgan Stanley, which largely funded its construction through philanthropy.

Therapeutic ultrasound refers generally to any type of ultrasonic procedure that uses ultrasound for therapeutic benefit. Physiotherapeutic ultrasound was introduced into clinical practice in the 1950s, with lithotripsy introduced in the 1980s. Others are at various stages in transitioning from research to clinical use: HIFU, targeted ultrasound drug delivery, trans-dermal ultrasound drug delivery, ultrasound hemostasis, cancer therapy, and ultrasound assisted thrombolysis It may use focused ultrasound or unfocused ultrasound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Children's Mercy Hospital</span> Hospital in Missouri, United States

Children's Mercy Kansas City is a 390-bed medical center in Kansas City, Missouri providing care for pediatric patients. The hospital's primary service area covers a 150-county area in Missouri and Kansas. Children's Mercy received national recognition from U.S. News & World Report in 11 pediatric specialties. The hospital was the first in Missouri and Kansas to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Services from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and has been re-designated five times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nationwide Children's Hospital</span> Hospital in Ohio, United States

Nationwide Children's Hospital is a nationally ranked pediatric acute care teaching hospital located in the Southern Orchards neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. The hospital has 673 pediatric beds and is affiliated with the Ohio State University College of Medicine. The hospital provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to infants, children, teens, and young adults aged 0–21 throughout Ohio and surrounding regions. Nationwide Children's Hospital also sometimes treats adults that require pediatric care. Nationwide Children's Hospital also features an ACS-verified Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, one of four in the state. The hospital has affiliations with the nearby Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Nationwide Children's Hospital is located on its own campus and has more than 1,379 medical staff members and over 11,909 total employees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University Hospital Heidelberg</span> Hospital in Heidelberg, Germany

University Hospital Heidelberg is a university hospital in Heidelberg, Germany and is with 1,991 beds one of the largest medical centers in the country. It is closely linked to Heidelberg University Medical School which was founded in 1388 and is thus the oldest within the Federal Republic of Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NYU Langone Health</span> Hospital in New York, United States

NYU Langone Health is an academic medical center located in New York City, New York, United States. The health system consists of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, both part of New York University (NYU), and more than 300 locations throughout the New York City Region and Florida, including six inpatient facilities: Tisch Hospital; Kimmel Pavilion; NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital; Hassenfeld Children's Hospital; NYU Langone Hospital – Brooklyn; and NYU Langone Hospital – Long Island. It is also home to Rusk Rehabilitation. NYU Langone Health is one of the largest healthcare systems in the Northeast, with more than 49,000 employees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oncology</span> Branch of medicine dealing with, or specializing in, cancer

Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an oncologist. The name's etymological origin is the Greek word ὄγκος (ónkos), meaning "tumor", "volume" or "mass". Oncology is concerned with:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hope & Heroes Children's Cancer Fund</span> Non-profit organisation in the US

Hope & Heroes is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) in New York City. Hope & Heroes supports the Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation at Columbia University Medical Center. Hope & Heroes funds work on childhood cancer and blood disorders at Columbia University Medical Center—including research, support for families, and care.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diffuse midline glioma</span> Highly aggressive brain tumor, mostly found in children

Diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27-altered (DMG) is a fatal tumour that arises in midline structures of the brain, most commonly the brainstem, thalamus and spinal cord. When located in the pons it is also known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Childhood cancer</span> Medical condition

Childhood cancer is cancer in a child. About 80% of childhood cancer cases in high-income countries can be successfully treated via modern medical treatments and optimal patient care. However, only about 10% of children diagnosed with cancer reside in high-income countries where the necessary treatments and care is available. Childhood cancer represents only about 1% of all types of cancers diagnosed in children and adults, It is often more complex than adult cancers with unique biological characteristics and research and treatment is yet very challenging and limited. For this reason, childhood cancer is often ignored in control planning, contributing to the burden of missed opportunities for its diagnoses and management in countries that are low- and mid-income.

Anand Veeravagu is an American neurosurgeon at Stanford University Hospital and Clinics. In 2012, he was selected to serve as a White House Fellow and is focused on innovation in healthcare delivery, traumatic brain injury, mental health and suicide prevention initiatives.

<i>The Tumor</i> 2015 short story by John Grisham

"The Tumor" is a short story by John Grisham, telling about the focused ultrasound process through the case of a fictional character named Paul. This story was not released through Grisham's usual publisher, but instead was published for a free eBook on the website of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, on whose board Grisham serves. Grisham's purpose in writing this short story was to increase awareness about the promising new medical therapy. The use of focused ultrasound is not yet approved for use on brain tumors, but The Tumor takes place in a time when the therapy is in regular use. Unlike most short stories, the story is as much informational as narrative, and includes medical illustrations and brain scan images. The book's cover includes the subtitle A Non-Legal Thriller. On Grisham's website, in a letter introducing The Tumor, Grisham states "It's the most important book I've ever written."

University of Virginia Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center affiliated with the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the UVA Health System.

Sheila K. Singh MD, PhD, FRCSC is a chief pediatric neurosurgeon at McMaster Children's Hospital in Ontario, Canada. She is also Professor of Surgery and Biochemistry, the Division Head of Neurosurgery at Hamilton Health Sciences, the Research Director for McMaster's Division of Neurosurgery, and a scientist/principal investigator appointed to the Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute at McMaster University.

Bear Necessities Pediatric Foundation is a nonprofit national organization that works with children who have cancer, and their families by providing resources and positive experiences. This organization was founded in memory of Barret "Bear" Krupa, a boy who had a wish to help other children and families with cancer. The Bear Necessities Pediatric Foundation has expanded into two main programs: Bear Discoveries, which focuses on funding for research, and Bear Hugs, which focuses on giving children and their families a positive experience.

Isabelle Aubert is a Canadian neuroscientist with expertise in developing regenerative therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. She is a senior scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute, and is a professor in laboratory medicine and pathobiology at the University of Toronto. In 2019, Aubert was appointed as a Canada Research Chair in Brain Repair and Regeneration.

References

  1. ↑ "Focused_Ultrasound_Foundation_2021_Form_990_-_Public.pdf" (PDF). cdn.fusfoundation.org. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  2. ↑ "FOCUSED ULTRASOUND FOUNDATION - GuideStar Profile". www.guidestar.org. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
  3. ↑ "Our lab designated Center of Excellence by the Focused Ultrasound Foundation". Physics for Medicine Paris. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  4. ↑ "Children's National Hospital becomes first pediatric hospital designated a Center of Excellence by Focused Ultrasound Foundation | Children's National Hospital". childrensnational.org. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  5. ↑ "Sunnybrook marks 10-year anniversary of 'game-changing' brain surgery without scalpels - Sunnybrook Hospital". sunnybrook.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  6. ↑ "UVA Darden, Focused Ultrasound Foundation Partner on Innovative Fellowship Program". Darden Report Online. 2020-09-10. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  7. ↑ Densford, Fink (26 January 2016). "Grisham inks medical novel focused on focused ultrasound; Calls it "most important" he's ever written". MassDevice. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  8. ↑ Entzminger, Brielle (2018-06-11). "Governor visits Focused Ultrasound Foundation". Charlottesville Tomorrow. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  9. ↑ @NatGeoUK (2022-05-06). "New method delivers life-saving drugs to the brain—using sound waves". National Geographic. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.