High-intensity focused ultrasound technology offers non-surgical treatment for essential tremor and Parkinson’s Disease
West Orange, NJ (June 2, 2025) - RWJBarnabas Health, the largest academic health system in the state, has launched a focused ultrasound treatment program to help patients living with medication-refractory essential tremor and Parkinson’s Disease. The focused ultrasound platform is non-surgical and is delivered via guidance from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Focused ultrasound uses sound waves to precisely ablate deep brain targets without surgical incisions or burr holes. Each treatment is performed in a single session using MRI guidance to provide high-resolution visualization of the patient’s brain. This enables precise targeting of the areas causing the tremors, real-time temperature monitoring and immediate confirmation of treatment outcomes. The result for many patients is immediate improvement of tremor with minimal complications.
“Focused ultrasound is an important intervention to offer patients whose movement disorders are no longer addressed by medication,” said Robert E. Gross, MD, PhD, joint chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and senior vice president for neurosurgical services at RWJBarnabas Health. “This technology complements an existing array of advanced treatment options that are helping to enable people to perform basic functions again, like holding a glass of water, dressing, or signing their names.”
RWJBarnabas Health has selected Insighttec’s Exablate Neuro platform, which was approved by the FDA in 2022 to treat both sides of the body in Essential Tremor patients, as the disease commonly affects more than one side of the body. Eligible patients can have their second side treated at least nine months after treatment of the first side.
“This new technology represents a significant advancement in how we approach treatment of movement disorders such as essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease,” says Ling Pan, MD, assistant professor, Department of Neurology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. “By offering more precise and less invasive therapies, we can improve symptom management and enhance the overall quality of life of our patients.”
Focused ultrasound therapy will be available at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, New Jersey, beginning in June. Patients can schedule an appointment now to determine if they qualify for the therapy. Learn more.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its diverse communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate and equitable manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 43,000 employees, contributing more than $5.5 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org.