Acertara Acoustic Laboratories announced a collaboration with Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Sciences and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) to develop an ultrasound based alternative for pain mitigation.
The partnership aims to develop a focused ultrasound stimulation system, a promising alternative to opioid treatments for neuropathic pain caused by stroke-related nerve damage.
Acertara, an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited and ISO13485:2016 certified leader in medical ultrasound technology, brings its R&D and regulatory expertise to the forefront as a part of the effort to develop and bring this technology to market. The ultrasound system, guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is designed to target and modulate neural activity deep in the brain, providing relief for the often-debilitating sensations experienced by neuropathic pain sufferers.
The initiative to obviate or mitigate conventional opioid-based treatments, which offer limited relief and pose a high risk of addiction, aligns with Acertara’s commitment to developing innovative healthcare solutions through ultrasound. The development phase of this project is supported by a three-year grant from the National Institutes of Health under the HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) initiative. The focus of phase one will be to develop the technology necessary to overcome historical technical barriers related to transcranial ultrasound, and ready the system for a pilot clinical trial.
“This collaboration represents a significant milestone in our mission to advance ultrasound technology for new therapeutic applications,” said Levi Moore, president and CEO of Acertara. “We are excited about the potential of this device to transform pain management and offer a safe, effective alternative to opioids.”
