New Non-invasive Surgery Technique

Yoav Medan, an Israeli doctor, has been working for the past 15 years on a new method of non-invasive surgery that combines two known technologies into one operating procedure.  

The idea of non-invasive surgery is not new.  Non-invasive surgery has been used in various treatments, in varying degrees of effectiveness for decades. The obstacle early pioneers had in this area was not being able to see what was happening during the surgery, and this resulted in surrounding tissue damage similar to the damage seen in invasive surgery.  Also, the non-invasive surgeries were not effective because they could not properly target the area on which to be operated.  Invasive surgery today is still risky and impacts patients for months with pain, physical therapy, and medications. The revolutionary technique would be finding a new effective treatment, without damaging surrounding tissues, therefore maximizing the percentage of success while minimizing recovery times. That’s exactly what this team of scientists has been able to accomplish.  The use of Magnetic Resonance Imagining (MRI) allows doctors to have real-time visual interaction during surgical procedures.  Focused ultrasound is used today in procedures such as ones to break up kidney stones. Combining the use of MRI and focused ultra sound, researchers at InSightec in Israel and partners around the world, have created the ability to treat such ailments as motor disorders, fibroid tumors, and metastases of the bone using this technique; to be able to operate without damaging surrounding tissue damage and no recovery time. 

Demonstration of focused ultrasound on mimicked issue (silicone)
Pictures from TED talk cited below

Simulated lesion in the silicone without damaging other tissue
Pictures from TED talk 

The operating room of the future could very well consist of a surgeon sitting behind a computer clicking nothing more than a mouse.  For example, a patient being treated for a brain condition would be placed in the MRI chamber with a transducer placed on their head.  The MRI would pinpoint the location and the transducer would project ultrasonic energy to the specific area targeted by the surgeon.  This procedure could be compared to the process done to break up kidney stones, doctors could change the amount of energy directed to an area from a brush of air to a smashing force. The surgeon first locates the affected area by sending a pulse that heats up the area a few degrees; this lets surgeons know if they are focused precisely.  Once the surgeon has correctly focused on the affected area, he or she then sends the ultrasonic pulse to that site.  Patients can literally walk away from this procedure in minutes, with proven relief. 

Simulation of procedure: transducer located around the head before being placed under the MRI
Picture from TED talk

John, a retired professor from Virginia suffered from neurological tremors.  Medicines were no longer effective and his quality of life was poor and he was totally dependent on others.  Many patients are reluctant to undergo traditional forms of surgery and physically cut into the brain.  John underwent this experimental surgery in early 2011, as approved by the FDAID at the University of Virginia.   Here is a sample of John’s handwriting on the morning of his surgery and hours after the procedure. 

"This is my handwriting John S. Watterson III 6-20-11"
Picture from TED talk

Many other patients have seen immediate relief with this type of treatment and their quality of life has been drastically improved.  John is able to live an independent life and enjoys an active retirement life.

This technique could revolutionize surgery and already shows promise in tackling different diseases, all while improving a patient’s quality of life.  

References:

Medan, Y. (2011, Oct). Yoav Medan: Ultrasound surgery-- healing without cuts. [video file]. Retrieved
           from http://www.ted.com/talks/yoav_medan_ultrasound_surgery_healing_without_cuts.html