March 04, 2025

Ep25: Breaking Barriers: Focused Ultrasound Innovations with Elisa Konofagou, PhD

25 minutes

This episode of Curing with Sound features Elisa Konofagou, PhD, the Robert and Margaret Hariri Professor of Biomedical Engineering and professor of radiology at Columbia University, who is a pioneer and leading expert in focused ultrasound. Dr. Konofagou discusses her important research using focused ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier, the development of portable therapeutic ultrasound devices, and the future of this noninvasive technology and its role in treating a variety of conditions.

The Focused Ultrasound Foundation recently designated Columbia as the seventh Center of Excellence (COE) in the US and the 14th worldwide. The COE program recognizes luminary sites for their merit in translational and clinical research in focused ultrasound, training, and patient care. The Centers serve as hubs for collaboration, bringing together academia, industry, and the Foundation to champion therapeutic ultrasound technology in innovative ways.

Key points from the conversation:

Blood-brain barrier opening – Clinical trials using focused ultrasound for blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening, enabling delivery of therapeutics for treating a wide range of conditions including, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diffuse midline glioma (DMG) in pediatric patients.

Breast cancer – Dr. Konofagou is studying the use of focused ultrasound to ablate primary tumors, both benign and malignant. She is also using the technology to mechanically vibrate tumors, then evaluating the changes in stiffness or elasticity as a biomarker of chemotherapy response.

A portable ultrasound device for broader accessibility – Unlike MRI-guided focused ultrasound, which requires expensive imaging equipment, Dr. Konofagou’s team developed a portable device that can be brought to patients, allowing real-time monitoring and faster treatment times.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

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QUESTIONS?

Email [email protected] if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

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