Neurosurgery technology company INSIGHTEC was named among the world’s “Most Innovative Companies” by Fast Company this year ranking No. 1 in the Israel sector.

While INSIGHTEC is headquartered in Israel, one of its two global offices is located in Dallas and home to its regulatory, clinical application, and reimbursement teams.

Worldwide, INSIGHTEC has more than 150 employees and a focus on leading-edge medical technology based on using ultrasound for incisionless surgical procedures using its FDA-approved Exablate Neuro focused-ultrasound device for treating tremor patients. The tech was awarded “Best Medical Technology” by The Galien Foundation last fall.

“INSIGHTEC is the innovator of sound surgery — using ultrasound waves instead of a scalpel to treat deep in the brain with no surgical incisions,” Dee Kolanek, vice president of reimbursement for INSIGHTEC, told Dallas Innovates.

“INSIGHTEC is the innovator of sound surgery — using ultrasound waves instead of a scalpel to treat deep in the brain with no surgical incisions.”

Dee Kolanek

The Exablate Neuro device is used to treat essential tremor, a neurological condition causing uncontrollable shaking and affecting about 10 million people in the U.S. daily. The treatment is guided by MRI imaging, and because there are no incisions there is a lower risk of infection for patients and hospitalization is minimized or even avoided altogether.

National Government Services, a Medicare Administrative Contractor, began Medicare coverage for use of the Exablate Neuro on April 1. Kolanek said INSIGHTEC is educating U.S. health insurance companies about the non-invasive treatment option the device offers for essential tremor patients.

Like many international companies, INSIGHTEC chose Dallas for an office because of the area’s strategic location for travel to key cities across the U.S., Europe, and the rest of the world, Kolanek said.

But, while travel options might have been the draw for a Dallas office, Kolanek said the company is becoming involved in the business community and is currently working toward membership in the DFW Business Group on Health, a group of North Texas employers committed to health care issues such as quality, cost-effectiveness, transparency, and accountability in the community for area employers and employees.

About the honor of being named to the Fast Company “Most Innovative Companies 2018” list, Kolanek said, “For every single one of the more than 150 employees, this is an important recognition of our daily commitment to innovation. For both physicians and patients, this is confirmation of our dedication to making incisionless focused ultrasound the standard of care.”

Kolanek added, “INSIGHTEC equals innovation.”

INSIGHTEC’s treatment is guided by MRI imaging, and because there are no incisions there is a lower risk of infection for patients and hospitalization is minimized or even avoided altogether. [Image courtesy of INSIGHTEC]