A global team

Eyal Zadicario joined Insightec at the end of the 1990’s, a software engineer with a Master of Science degree in Computer Science and the knowledge of exactly what he wanted to do – be part of an innovative team working on multidisciplinary challenges that would shape the next century.

At the time, communications and Internet companies were the buzz in the world of technology and software development, not healthcare. Eyal was interviewed and hired by Roni Yagel (leading the software team at that time and now VP International Markets) to lead the development of the graphical user interface for an emerging new medical device.

These were the early days of the focused ultrasound technology would later become the Exablate system. As is the case in a typical startup environment, everyone was doing everything. Engineers would work on design, documentation, testing, writing user manuals, speak at conferences – talk to customers during the day while also doing actual installations and servicing the device at night.

Eyal was part of a team with a shared purpose – developing technology with the potential to change how surgery is performed – using focused ultrasound instead of a scalpel.

Starting on the software development team, Eyal gradually found a pathway to contribute in leadership roles. This is not rare at Insightec. “We are proud of the many individual that developed their careers within the company.”

Several members of today’s leadership team were part of the core team in the early days. It is a testament to the company culture that believes in its people and provides opportunities for internal mobility. In parallel, Eyal completed his PhD in Computer Science as he believes that “scientific discovery and education is key to properly address the challenges ahead in the evolving world of medical technology.”

In the early 2000’s, the concept of using focused ultrasound to treat deep in the brain without open surgery was considered impossible. This was due to the attenuation of the acoustic beam caused by the skull’s irregular shape and thickness as well as the heating of the skull. However, Insightec has never shied away from the impossible.

“Overcoming a technological challenge is exciting, however setbacks and failures are an inevitable part of the process that only drive you to try harder to get it right.”

The company’s Exablate Neuro looks like a helmet, but what’s under the “hood” is leading-edge technology. At the core are complex proprietary algorithms that allow ultrasound waves to pass safely through the skull and deliver the energy needed to precisely ablate a target deep in the brain. The patient often goes home the same day.

“We were all super excited about the first patient treated with the Body system in early 2000 and the first Essential Tremor patient treated more than a decade ago. Today with more than 30,000 patients treated with our technology, the sense of purpose remains in everything we do. Today, our impact is no longer a future hope, it is a reality.”

Insightec’s focused ultrasound technology is currently being used at over 70 medical centers by neurosurgeons to treat debilitating hand tremor from Essential Tremor and Tremor-dominant Parkinson’s Disease in patients for whom medication has not provided satisfactory relief. The team at Insightec has grown from a small team of 35 when Eyal joined to over 350 today. These individuals, across the globe, are experts in their fields and part of a company that is first-to-market with innovative technology that is helping to transform lives.

After 20 years of scientific discovery, that strong sense of purpose remains at the core of Insightec.