INSIGHTEC Announces Launch of Neurosurgery System on 1.5T MRI Platform

TIRAT CARMEL, Israel, May 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Expanded capability brings noninvasive MR-guided focused ultrasound to broader market  

INSIGHTEC Ltd, the leader in MR-guided Focused Ultrasound therapy, today announces the expansion of its innovative, non-invasive neurosurgery system from 3T to 1.5T MRI systems. This launch significantly expands the potential market for INSIGHTEC'S ExAblate Neuro as 1.5T systems are the most common MRI systems in use today. The system is immediately available in the European market and is pending regulatory approvals in additional markets.

This product expansion is made possible by an INSIGHTEC designed custom imaging coil that improves the intra-operative imaging performance on the 1.5T MRI to allow for this highly precise surgery. The first two treatments were successfully performed in Palermo, Italy led by the Departments of Radiological Sciences at the University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone" of Palermo and Sapienza University of Rome, School of Medicine, with the collaboration of leading neurosurgeons from both Centro Diagnostico Italiano (CDI) and Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta of Milano. The system acquisition was made through a research grant from the Italian Ministry of Education and Research.

"This head coil posed quite a design challenge," cites Eyal Zadicario, VP of R&D at INSIGHTEC. "We had to create a unique coil design that was half-immersed in the water bath that surrounds our patients' heads during treatment. It also has to be invisible to the ultrasonic acoustic beams that perform the surgery and at the same time provide the image resolution and clarity necessary to allow surgeons to make 1mm adjustments during surgery."

"Being able to bring focused ultrasound neurosurgery to patients and hospitals that only have access to 1.5T MRIs is a significant step in the continuing growth of this emerging platform," says Richard Schallhorn, VP of Neurosurgery for INSIGHTEC. "This important technological advance, together with the growing number of clinical indications for MR-guided focused ultrasound neurosurgery, provides an opportunity to provide a safe, effective, non-invasive surgical option for a large number of patients."

About INSIGHTEC  

INSIGHTEC is the global leader in MRgFUS. The Company, founded in 1999, develops and distributes a non-invasive therapy platform that is transforming medicine. INSIGHTEC is continuously expanding its applications ranging from functional neurosurgery to oncology and gynecology. MRgFUS is embraced by world-renowned physicians in more than 120 medical facilities who applaud both its clinical and economic value.

The Company has received numerous innovation awards, among others from the Wall Street Journal and TIME magazine. INSIGHTEC is privately held by GE Healthcare, Elbit Imaging, York Capital Management, GEOC Hengtong Investment Limited Partnership and MediTech Advisors.

For more information please visit: http://www.insightec.com

Media contact:
Xen Mendelsohn Aderka
VP of Marketing
xenm@insightec.com
+972-4-813-1309