Low intensity focused ultrasound device to help spinal cord repair without surgery

Pablo Villoslada.

Fundació Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Spain.

Multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are two disorders that damage the nervous system and progressively reduce movement and independence. Current treatments manage symptoms but do not repair spinal cord damage. This project aims to explore a non-invasive approach that uses ultrasound waves to reduce inflammation and stimulate spinal-cord repair without drugs or surgery.

Using Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, FUSpine delivers sound waves to selected areas of the spinal cord. Adjustable components accommodate each patient’s anatomy, while three-dimensional MRI scans guide the treatment. A team of experts in medical devices and neurorepair will test whether FUSpine is safe and comfortable for both patients and doctors to use. They will then investigate whether it can prevent new spinal-cord damage in people with multiple sclerosis and slow motor decline in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The project could offer a new treatment that slows the progression of two highly disabling neurological diseases, helping patients remain active and independent for longer. If adopted widely, it could also reduce long-term care requirements and healthcare costs.

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