MR-guided focused ultrasound technology recommended for government subsidy for Australians living with essential tremor

Wednesday 22 November 2023: Insightec, a pioneer and global leader in focused ultrasound, has welcomed the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) positive recommendation to have its magnetic resonance imaging (MR)-guided focused ultrasound treatment subsidized by the government to provide greater access for Australians suffering from the neurological condition, medication refractory essential tremor (ET).¹

The MSAC recommendation creates a pathway for the innovative technology-based treatment to receive a Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) listing in 2024, which can provide nation-wide patient access to the minimally invasive treatment option for essential tremor.

Currently, essential tremor treatment options include medication, but often are found to be ineffective. Invasive brain surgery, known as deep brain stimulation³ (DBS) is also an option. While effective, many prefer an alternative to open brain surgery for tremor treatment.

The MSAC positive recommendation is for MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS), an effective, non-invasive treatment option for essential tremor. MRgFUS uses specialised ultrasound technology to deliver targeted brain therapy without an incision.

“This is an important day, not only for us at Insightec, but also for over 26 million Australians who will have greater access to focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor,” says Maurice Ferré, CEO and chairman of the board of Insightec. “We thank MSAC for recognizing the need for non-invasive, front-line intervention for essential tremor and are happy to partner with forward-thinking companies like Getz Healthcare to move Australia forward.”

“Patients who undergo focused ultrasound for essential tremor often indicate that it is life-changing to have an incisionless option to reduce tremor,” explains Dr. Benjamin Jonker, consultant neurosurgeon at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney. “Our only previous surgical option was an open procedure that required penetration of the skull; not all patients are eligible or willing to undergo that.”

“Essential tremor remains an under-diagnosed and under-treated disease,” explains Dr. Stephen Tisch, consultant neurologist at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney. “About 50 percent of patients with moderate-to-severe essential tremor do not respond adequately to medication. For many, MR-guided focused ultrasound might prove to be the only therapeutic option. It is also a precise intervention that allows us to restore our patients’ quality of life and give them the opportunity to regain control and independence.”

“Getz Healthcare proudly connects the medical industry with the community, and it is thrilled to hear that focused ultrasound has received a positive MSAC recommendation,” explains Kimberly Hill, managing director of Getz Healthcare Australia and New Zealand. “This moves Getz Healthcare closer to addressing the needs of people living with essential tremor and will allow us to explore more accessible and affordable access to a much less invasive treatment option.”

About Focused Ultrasound

Focused ultrasound takes a minimally invasive approach that uses ultrasound to ablate the brain tissue that causes abnormal movements. Guided by MRI to target the specific area of the brain, neurologists benefit from real-time, detailed images of the brain for precise localisation and monitoring during the procedure.³

According to a study, patients experienced significant reductions in clinical rating scale for tremor, upper limb tremor, tremor-related disability, and quality of life. The most common intraprocedural adverse events included dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting, which all resolved. Post-procedural adverse events included paraesthesia and gait disturbance, but these tended to be either transient or improved within 12 months.³

Focused ultrasound technology is available in Australia via distributor Getz Healthcare Australia and New Zealand. Currently, the technology is being used at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney and Precision Brain, Spine & Pain in Melbourne.

For media enquiries, contact Palin Communications:

Roberta Sowden
0418 842 104
roberta@palin.com.au

Annabel Pender
0420 797 363
annabel@palin.com.au

About Insightec

Insightec is a global healthcare company creating the next generation of patient care by realising the therapeutic power of acoustic energy. The company’s Exablate Neuro platform focuses sound waves, safely guided by MRI, to provide tremor treatment to patients with medication-refractory Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Disease. Research for future applications in the neuroscience space is underway in partnership with leading academic and medical institutions. Insightec is headquartered in Haifa, Israel, and Miami, USA, with additional offices in Dallas, Shanghai, and Tokyo.

About Getz Healthcare Australia and New Zealand

Pioneers in global distribution for over 110 years, Getz Healthcare is the destination of choice for the medical industry, connecting communities with the latest and most advanced equipment, products, and services from around the world. With unmatched expertise and comprehensive knowledge of the medical device industry, it prides itself on the ability to forecast and understand future demands to offer customers a competitive edge based on predicting what patients want and what medical care providers need. Offering a full suite of end-to-end services, Getz Healthcare provides extensive support for hospitals, specialist clinics, and healthcare providers, ensuring they are equipped with new techniques and the latest innovations to better care for their patients.

References

1. Confirm availability of MSAC recommendation reference (meeting outcomes)
2. What is Essential Tremor? Essential Tremor in Australia and New Zealand. Available at https://essentialtremor.net.au/?gclid=CjwKCAiA78aNBhAlEiwA7B76p0ld0l49UYPxlom4rQhiAhUOVZ5_OH8s8SZq87fLQ1_QcNA-ql4deBoCcjUQAvD_BwE (Accessed August 2023)
3. MSAC Public Summary Document. Application No. 1614 – Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound for the treatment of medically refractory essential tremor. Insightec Ltd. Available at http://www.msac.gov.au/internet/msac/publishing.nsf/Content/17E39DC9F1DE6FB4CA25850B00045325/$File/1614%20Final%20PSD%20-%20Mar-Apr%202021_redacted.pdf (accessed August 2023)