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.

FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA

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FUSF WEBSITE https://www.fusfoundation.org SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER https://www.fusfoundation.org/newsletter-signup/ READ THE LATEST NEWSLETTER https://www.fusfoundation.org/the-foundation/news-media/newsletter/ DOWNLOAD "THE TUMOR" BY JOHN GRISHAM (FREE E-BOOK) https://www.fusfoundation.org/read-the-tumor-by-john-grisham/