New Delhi: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi has become the first government hospital in the country to introduce cutting-edge neurotechnology that offers a non-invasive alternative to brain surgeries to treat neurological conditions like essential tremors and Parkinson’s disease.
The MRgFUS (Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound) technology combines real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—a non-invasive imaging technique for detailed internal scans—with precise ultrasound targeting, allowing doctors to treat neurological disorders without a single incision.
Doctors said it has the potential to treat movement disorders, epilepsy, substance abuse and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It can also facilitate drug delivery by disrupting the blood-brain barrier.
Dr Manjari Tripathi, head of the neurology department at AIIMS Delhi, called the procedure a “game-changer”.
The biggest advantage is that, unlike the earlier Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) procedure, which requires electrodes to be placed in the brain, the new technology offers a completely non-invasive alternative.
The facility is expected to become fully operational in the next 6 to 7 months and AIIMS expects to treat around 100 patients a year initially.
With AIIMS making the facility available, the cost for patients is expected to be significantly lower—at least less than half the Rs 12 lakh required for a DBS procedure.
Dr Tripathi said the procedure at AIIMS will be significantly more affordable compared to private hospitals, and the primary cost will be the consumable kit, which includes an ultrasonic cap and other essential components.
“In the private sector, this procedure costs around Rs 20 lakh. At AIIMS, while the final pricing is still under review, it will certainly be cheaper than private hospitals,” Dr. Tripathi said
Some private hospitals including Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Hospital in Bengaluru, Medanta and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, offer MRgFUS treatment.
However, doctors said the treatment may not be required for all Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. “Careful case selection is essential,” said Dr. Tripathi.
AIIMS currently performs three to five DBS procedures per month, but not all DBS candidates will be eligible for this treatment.
According to a study published in The Lancet, Parkinson’s disease has a relatively low prevalence in India, with about 70 cases per 100,000 people. However, due to the country’s large population, the total number of PD patients is estimated at around 7 million.
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No incisions, no pain
The procedure, which lasts about two hours, begins with fitting the patient with an ultrasonic cap and helmet. As the patient lies inside the MRI scanner, real-time imaging precisely identifies the target area in the brain.
These target areas, according to Dr Tripathi, have already been well-studied and documented. And after just 2 hours, the patient gets up and walks out tremor-free.
“It’s truly revolutionary, not just in terms of treatment but also patient comfort. There’s no need for an operation theatre or anaesthesia,” she said.
The new system requires no incisions, no implanted hardware and no general anesthesia. Patients remain fully conscious and feel no pain during the procedure with a neurologist, a neurosurgeon, and a neuroradiologist working together to ensure precision.
“The MRI guides us, pinpointing exactly where to direct the ultrasonic beam. Using stereotaxy—precision targeting—the beam is delivered through the helmet to the brain,” Dr. Tripathi explained.
“In DBS, needle-like electrodes are inserted into the brain through a burr hole, requiring drilling into the skull. These electrodes remain in place, connected by a wire to a battery implanted in the upper chest, which delivers electrical stimulation to targeted brain areas,” she added. “It’s an invasive procedure with surgical risks.”
Tripathi explained that the system is highly compact, allowing for a seamless patient experience.
“The patient is either evaluated a day before or arrives in the morning for the procedure. They walk into the MRI room, where the treatment takes place,” she said.
Dr Tripathi added that many patients were covered under government health insurance schemes designed for lower-income groups such as Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN).
“Patients classified as Below Poverty Line (BPL) will receive the treatment free of cost,” she said.
At AIIMS, Dr Tripathi will be assisted by Dr Rupa Rajan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology, and Dr P. Sarat Chandra, a neurosurgeon, along with several other faculty members.
According to Dr Tripathi, the MRgFUS equipment itself costs around Rs 30 crore. However, it is being donated by the Vattikuti Foundation, a leading organisation dedicated to advancing medical technology.
The foundation has previously contributed to revolutionary medical advancements in India, including equipment for laparoscopic and robotic surgery.
Dr Tripathi emphasised the need for greater philanthropic investment in healthcare, urging major business houses to support medical innovation.
(Edited by Sugita Katyal)
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