Newswise — March 18, 2014 – Charlottesville, VA – Frederic Moll, M.D., a serial medical device entrepreneur, will kick off the 4th International Symposium on Focused Ultrasound in October 2014 with a keynote presentation titled, “Developing a New, Disruptive Therapeutic Modality: From Laboratory Research Tool to Standard of Care.” Dr. Moll will share insights from his experience founding Intuitive Surgical, including his vision behind the technology, overcoming barriers to adoption and lessons for focused ultrasound.

“Focused ultrasound has incredible potential to change the treatment paradigm for many serious medical conditions,” said Dr. Moll. “But like many disruptive technologies, success is contingent upon navigating the interests of many stakeholders. I am happy to collaborate with the Focused Ultrasound Foundation in its mission to advance this technology by providing guidance to the leaders in the field.”

Dr. Moll’s early career as a surgeon led him to found a series of medical device companies leading up to the formation of Intuitive Surgical, Inc., one of the most successful start-ups of its kind and developers of the game-changing Da Vinci Surgical System. Moll is now Chairman of the Board of Auris, Inc., a medical robotics company he founded in 2011. Moll is also on the Focused Ultrasound Foundation Board of Directors.

“Fred’s insight into what is needed to drive what starts as just an idea to widespread adoption is essential to our work in focused ultrasound,” shares Dr. Neal F. Kassell, Focused Ultrasound Foundation Chairman. “The path, as we well know, is a cumbersome one with many obstacles and players involved. To have someone who has achieved success in this arena share his experience is inspiring to our mission both as an organization and as a field.”

ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUMThe 4th International Symposium on Focused Ultrasound is the world’s largest gathering of clinical and scientific experts advancing the field of image-guided focused ultrasound. Taking place in Bethesda, Maryland, October 12-16, 2014, the conference will offer a multifaceted exploration of current and future applications of the technology and feature plenary sessions, panel discussions, poster presentations and exhibits. Topics include the application of focused ultrasound to treat the bone, brain, breast, liver, prostate, uterus and other emerging applications. Learn more at www.fusfoundation.org/symposium.

ABOUT THE FOCUSED ULTRASOUND FOUNDATIONThe Focused Ultrasound Foundation was created to improve the lives of millions of people worldwide by accelerating the development and adoption of focused ultrasound therapies. The Foundation works to clear the path to global adoption by coordinating and funding research and educational activities, creating partnerships and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and building awareness of the technology among patients and professionals. The Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that focused ultrasound finds its place as a mainstream therapy for a range of neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and stroke as well as uterine fibroids, cancer and other life-threatening conditions within years, not decades. Since its establishment in 2006, the Foundation has become the largest non-governmental source of funding for focused ultrasound research. More information about the Charlottesville, Virginia-based Foundation can be found at www.fusfoundation.org.

ABOUT FOCUSED ULTRASOUNDFocused ultrasound is a revolutionary, early-stage therapeutic technology with the potential to transform the treatment of many serious medical disorders. This breakthrough technology uses ultrasonic energy guided by magnetic resonance or ultrasound imaging to treat tissue deep in the body without incisions or radiation. Multiple intersecting beams of ultrasound are directed and concentrated on a target as small as a grain of rice, much like a magnifying glass can focus multiple beams of light on a single point.