In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Adam Maxwell, PhD, an associate professor of biomedical engineering at Virginia Tech, whose career has literally spanned the focused ultrasound development pathway, from fundamental research and technology development to startups, clinical trials, and FDA-cleared technologies.Dr. Maxwell reflects on his involvement in some of the earliest histotripsy research at the University of Michigan and the technology’s evolution from the laboratory to clinical use. He also discusses his work advancing noninvasive kidney stone treatments for people...

Researchers tested whether targeting immunosuppressive cells could strengthen focused ultrasound treatment in preclinical models of breast cancer.

Six undergraduate students joined five focused ultrasound companies for internships designed to provide hands-on experience.

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Daniel Sheeran, MD, an interventional radiologist at the University of Virginia, about histotripsy, a form of focused ultrasound that mechanically destroys targeted tissue without incisions or heat. In 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration cleared the HistoSonics Edison™ histotripsy system for the noninvasive destruction of liver tumors. Dr. Sheeran, who performed UVA’s first histotripsy procedure in June 2025, explains how the technology works and shares insights from his experience integrating this new treatment option into clinical...

Attendees discussed the use of focused ultrasound neuromodulation for treating addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, and more.

The first-of-its-kind center will offer expertise and access to specialized equipment to researchers within the U-M community and beyond.

Four students joined the Foundation to complete projects related to improving efficiency across various departments.

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Daniel Sheeran, MD, an interventional radiologist at the University of Virginia, about histotripsy, a form of focused ultrasound that mechanically destroys targeted tissue without incisions or heat. In 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration cleared the HistoSonics Edison™ histotripsy system for the noninvasive destruction of liver tumors. Dr. Sheeran, who performed UVA’s first histotripsy procedure in June 2025, explains how the technology works and shares insights from his experience integrating this new treatment option into clinical...

Key Points Dr. Nick Dervisis is an associate professor of veterinary oncology at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and a board-certified veterinary oncologist. His research focuses on translational cancer therapies, including focused ultrasound and other tumor ablation technologies, with the goals of improving cancer care for animals and generating insights relevant to human oncology. ...

Histotripsy was cleared by the US FDA for the treatment of primary and metastatic liver tumors almost three years ago.

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Tonya Cherukuri, PhD, Director of the Foundation's Claudine and Fritz Kundrun Veterinary Program. The program funds clinical trials investigating focused ultrasound for naturally occurring diseases in companion animals to advance veterinary care and also generate insights that may inform applications in human medicine. To date, it has supported nearly 30 trials across 14 conditions, including osteosarcoma, lymphoma, oral tumors, and urinary stones. Dr. Cherukuri discusses the potential advantages of focused ultrasound for veterinary...

A preclinical study tested a new strategy for treating glioblastoma by using focused ultrasound to deliver microRNA-containing nanoparticles to the brain.

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Tonya Cherukuri, PhD, Director of the Foundation's Claudine and Fritz Kundrun Veterinary Program. The program funds clinical trials investigating focused ultrasound for naturally occurring diseases in companion animals to advance veterinary care and also generate insights that may inform applications in human medicine. To date, it has supported nearly 30 trials across 14 conditions, including osteosarcoma, lymphoma, oral tumors, and urinary stones. Dr. Cherukuri discusses the potential advantages of focused ultrasound for veterinary...

A creative spin on MRI technology measures the amount of drug delivered to a brain tumour

The study, which took place in Korea, enrolled 60 participants with either borderline resectable or locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Researchers in Taiwan recently completed a pilot study using low-intensity focused ultrasound neuromodulation to treat patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

About the State of the Field 2026 The State of the Field 2026 is presented through two complementary resources, each designed to serve a distinct purpose and audience.  The Interactive State of the Field is our most comprehensive and dynamic data resource. Featuring thousands of data points across focused ultrasound research, clinical adoption, commercialization, and regulatory activity, the platform ...

Key Points Dr. Ying Meng is a neurosurgeon and scientist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and Sunnybrook Research Institute and a faculty member at the University of Toronto. Her research centers on developing therapeutic focused ultrasound as innovative, noninvasive treatments for brain tumors and neurodegenerative conditions. Dr. Meng has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications, ...

A glioblastoma diagnosis changes a family’s life in an instant—especially when a tumor’s location makes surgery too risky. For patients facing this aggressive form of brain cancer, treatment often involves difficult decisions, profound uncertainty, and the challenge of continuing to live fully amid a life-altering diagnosis.In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Keith Merker, a husband and father from London, Ontario, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2025. Keith enrolled in a clinical trial at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, investigating focused ultrasound combined...

Reserve a hotel room for your conference or meeting at a special rate.

A Foundation-funded preclinical study tested how different histotripsy doses affected liver tumors. 

He leaves a valued legacy for advancing focused ultrasound in the UK, and our thoughts are with his family at this time.

Transforming Care for Pets and People Bringing Noninvasive Therapy to Man’s Best Friend The Claudine and Fritz Kundrun Veterinary Program is advancing a new frontier in medicine where innovative, noninvasive therapies improve the lives of animals while accelerating breakthroughs for humans. For decades, veterinary medicine has lagged behind human care. That’s changing. By treating naturally ...

A glioblastoma diagnosis changes a family’s life in an instant—especially when a tumor’s location makes surgery too risky. For patients facing this aggressive form of brain cancer, treatment often involves difficult decisions, profound uncertainty, and the challenge of continuing to live fully amid a life-altering diagnosis.In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Keith Merker, a husband and father from London, Ontario, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2025. Keith enrolled in a clinical trial at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, investigating focused ultrasound combined...

See the State of the Field data as a PDF and in an interactive digital platform.

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Nikolaos Dervisis, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, an associate professor of veterinary oncology at Purdue University and Senior Advisor for Veterinary Initiatives at the Focused Ultrasound Foundation.Dr. Dervisis discusses the growing role of focused ultrasound in veterinary medicine and its potential to advance cancer care. He also explores how studying naturally occurring cancers in animals can provide valuable insights into disease biology and treatment response, with implications for both veterinary and human medicine. He also shares updates on...

The company plans to initiate a phased commercial rollout in Europe, beginning with select centers of excellence.

With regulatory approvals already in place in many countries, a wide variety of focused ultrasound companies have entered the pancreatic cancer market.

Attendees discussed the use of focused ultrasound neuromodulation for treating addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, and more.

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Nikolaos Dervisis, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, an associate professor of veterinary oncology at Purdue University and Senior Advisor for Veterinary Initiatives at the Focused Ultrasound Foundation.Dr. Dervisis discusses the growing role of focused ultrasound in veterinary medicine and its potential to advance cancer care. He also explores how studying naturally occurring cancers in animals can provide valuable insights into disease biology and treatment response, with implications for both veterinary and human medicine.  He also shares updates on...

At least 17 ongoing worldwide clinical trials are testing focused ultrasound for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Outcomes from 3,477 prostate cancer patients in the UK who were treated with focal therapy and followed for up to 10 years have now been published.

Back to the Classroom: Focused Ultrasound Clinical Trial Helps Patient Return to the Life He Loves Key Points At 64 years old, Gwangbok Yoo leads a life that would leave many people half his age struggling to keep up. A longtime construction professional in South Korea, he now runs a technical training institute where he ...

Researchers are investigating multiple ways that focused ultrasound could improve pancreatic cancer treatment in laboratory studies.

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Jim Rorie, a licensed private investigator from North Carolina whose career and daily life were profoundly affected by chronic low back pain following a multi-vehicle collision. After months of physical therapy and painful nerve block injections, Jim became one of the first patients in the United States to be commercially treated with noninvasive focused ultrasound for his back pain. He shares what led him to the procedure, what the treatment experience was like, and how it has transformed his pain, his work, and his quality of...