New Delhi: : In a landmark development for neurological care in India, the Vattikuti Foundation has partnered with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, to introduce MR-Guided HIFU (Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound) system, for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and essential tremors. The announcement was made during the symposium “Transforming Neuroscience: MR-Guided HIFU – A Game Changer” hosted by the Foundation in Delhi.
The Vattikuti Foundation has donated a state-of-the-art Insightec MR-Guided HIFU system to AIIMS, along with five years of service support, to enhance non-invasive neurological treatments in India. The technology, which uses focused ultrasound waves guided by MRI to precisely target and treat affected areas of the brain, offers a revolutionary alternative to traditional brain surgery.
The symposium brought together leading neurologists, neurosurgeons, and researchers from India and the United States to explore the transformative potential of MR-Guided HIFU. The technology has been FDA-approved for treating essential tremors and Parkinsonian tremors and is now being investigated for applications in epilepsy, neuropathic pain, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), substance abuse, and blood-brain barrier modulation for enhanced drug delivery.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mahendra Bhandari, CEO of the Vattikuti Foundation, emphasized the need for accessible advanced treatments. “We are at the forefront of a medical revolution with focused ultrasound technology. The treatment from this equipment in private hospitals typically costs around ₹20 lakh per patient, making accessibility a challenge. Our foundation aims to subsidize treatments at AIIMS, reducing patient costs to ₹5 lakh. We are also seeking funding from other institutions to further research and expand non-invasive treatment options.”
The symposium featured presentations from international experts, including Dr. Daniel Roque and Dr. Vibhor Krishna from the University of North Carolina, and Dr. Augusto Grinspan, Chief Medical Officer, Insightec. Indian experts from AIIMS, including Dr. Roopa Rajan, Dr. Manjari Tripathi, and Professor Shailesh Gaikwad, shared their insights on the impact of this technology in India.
Maurice Ferre, President of Insightec, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Our partnership with AIIMS and the Vattikuti Foundation marks a transformative step in incision-free surgery. We are committed to treating movement disorders and expanding into new indications like epilepsy, aiming to develop treatments tailored to the Indian population.”During the discussions, experts highlighted the advantages of MR-Guided HIFU over traditional treatment methods, emphasizing its bloodless, non-invasive approach and potential to revolutionize neurosurgical interventions. Dr. Manjari Tripathi, Head of Neurology at AIIMS, described the technology as a game changer. “This is just the beginning. The ability to non-invasively modify brain networks using ultrasonic energy opens up immense possibilities beyond Parkinson’s disease and essential tremors. We are only at the tip of the iceberg.”
A special session at AIIMS, Delhi, included an address by Dr. Roopa Rajan, MD, DM, AIIMS, followed by a vote of thanks by Professor Srinivas, Director, AIIMS.
With this collaboration, AIIMS and the Vattikuti Foundation have taken a significant step towards making cutting-edge neurological care accessible and affordable in India, potentially transforming the lives of thousands suffering from movement disorders and beyond.
