SARASOTA, Fla. (March 26, 2026) – Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMH) has enrolled the first patient in a clinical study evaluating the safety and effectiveness of a novel, minimally invasive treatment for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) using Pulse Biosciences’ nPulse™ technology.
The study is led locally by thyroid and parathyroid surgeon Ralph P. Tufano, MD, MBA, FACS, in collaboration with Sarasota Memorial’s Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute. The trial is conducted in collaboration with principal investigator Victoria Banuchi, M.D., associate professor of Head & Neck Surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. A total of 30 patients will be enrolled across the two study sites.
Patients will receive ultrasound-guided nanosecond pulsed field ablation (nsPFA™) using Pulse Biosciences’ nPulse™ Vybrance™ Percutaneous Electrode System. The technology delivers ultra-short bursts of electrical energy to targeted cells in a precise, non-thermal manner. Unlike treatments that rely on heat, nsPFA™ does not cause thermal damage to surrounding tissue, helping preserve nearby critical structures. Sarasota Memorial has been actively using the nPulse Vybrance system since 2024, which has been cleared by FDA and intended for soft tissue ablation in percutaneous surgical procedures, for the ablation of symptomatic benign thyroid nodules. This first-in-human feasibility study for the treatment of PTC is being conducted under an Investigational Device Exemption.
“Enrolling our first patient marks an important milestone in expanding potential treatment options for individuals with low-risk thyroid cancer,” said Dr. Tufano. “Findings from this study may help determine whether nsPFA can offer a safe and effective alternative to surgery for select patients.”
For information or to determine eligibility, contact the research team at (941) 917-2225 or researchinstitute@smh.com. For information about the national trial, visit: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07218315
About the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute
Located on the flagship Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota campus, the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute serves as a premier hub for medical research and clinical innovation. With dedicated space for research, clinical innovation and graduate medical education, the Kolschowsky Institute provides a collaborative learning environment for physicians, nurses, researchers and students studying new treatments and mastering the latest tools and techniques in patient care. Through state-of-the-art simulation labs, hands-on training programs, and a robust portfolio of clinical studies, Sarasota Memorial and the Kolschowsky Institute play a vital role in advancing medical knowledge, improving patient outcomes, and shaping the future of healthcare in the region. For information, visit: www.smh.com/research.