Swiss Medical Network and Insel Gruppe enter into a strategic partnership for the development of functional neurosurgery without incisions

Swiss Medical Network and the Insel hospital group announce the signing of a cooperation agreement for the development of functional neurosurgery in the Canton of Bern. This partnership will enable patients with specific neurological conditions such as neuropathic pain, essential tremor and Parkinson's disease to benefit from an additional, innovative and highly precise therapeutic method: magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS), also known as HIFUS (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Surgery).

As part of this collaboration, patients at Bern's Inselspital will be treated at the highest scientific and clinical level at the university clinics of neurosurgery and neurology. The MRgFUS treatments will be carried out at the Medical Centre in Ostermundigen by the Swiss Medical Network under the direction of PD Dr. Marc Gallay (SIFUS AG), an internationally renowned expert in functional neurosurgery using MRgFUS. Patients will be admitted to and treated at the Inselspital neurological centre.

An innovative model for specialised care

Functional neurosurgery offers therapeutic possibilities for chronic and resistant neurological pathologies such as neuropathic pain (phantom pain) or movement disorders such as essential tremor, Parkinson's disease or dystonia. MRgFUS technology allows for extremely precise treatment of deep brain structures, thanks to the focusing of over 1,000 ultrasound waves, without brain surgery and under continuous monitoring via magnetic resonance imaging. This reduces the risk of complications and considerably accelerates healing.

PD Dr Marc Gallay, a pioneer in this field, will play a central role in the treatment and scientific development of the method, together with the neurologists and neurosurgeons at Inselspital. His expertise and experience in high-precision brain surgery without opening the skull guarantees optimal care throughout the treatment process.

«The collaboration with Swiss Medical Network expands our range of highly specialised neurosurgical treatments and improves the quality of care in the Canton of Bern. The integration of cutting-edge technologies with our university experience allows for excellent healthcare at the highest level,» said Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Raabe, Director of the University Clinic for Neurosurgery at Inselspital in Bern.

Synergies for research, training and treatment

The close collaboration between the Insel Gruppe and the Swiss Medical Network not only improves the quality of treatment, but also opens up new perspectives for medical research and training.

«This partnership represents a fundamental step in the development of functional neurosurgery in Switzerland. Together with Insel Gruppe, we are building a model based on medical excellence, innovative technologies and patient-centred care,»said Dino Cauzza, CEO of Swiss Medical Network.

A real step forward for patients

Thanks to this partnership, patients with severe neurological conditions will have access to one of the most innovative therapeutic methods in modern neurosurgery. MRgFUS technology offers a highly precise alternative to deep brain stimulation (DBS), without incisions or implants.

«The partnership between Insel Gruppe and Swiss Medical Network represents a decisive step forward. Thanks to the use of innovative technologies such as MRgFUS, we can offer patients new non-invasive treatment options. This interdisciplinary collaboration not only improves clinical care, but also strengthens Bern as a centre of research and innovation,» said Prof. Dr. med. Urs Fischer, Director of the University Clinic for Neurology at Inselspital, Bern.

«The aim of this collaboration is to establish, together with colleagues from the University Hospital of Bern, new standards for the treatment of chronic and therapy-resistant neurological diseases. There is still a lot of work to be done, but our patients will benefit from the experience of a team that has been using this safe technology for over 10 years, alongside Prof. Jeanmonod, now retired. Our common goal is to offer a therapy that is as safe, effective and minimally invasive as possible, and that improves the quality of life of patients in the long term,» said PD Dr. med. Marc Gallay, a specialist in functional neurosurgery.

With this collaboration, two leading institutions are combining their expertise to expand treatment options for neurological diseases to the highest level – and to offer patients the best possible medical care.

The close collaboration between Insel Gruppe and Swiss Medical Network not only improves clinical care, but also opens up new perspectives for research and medical training.