Halifax-based Sound Blade Medical, which has developed a handheld, ultrasound-powered tissue-cutting tool (histotripsy therapy), has appointed Neil Barman CEO.  

The company, which raised US$16.5 million (C$23.8 million) in a Series A round in January, says its technology focuses ultrasound to liquify targeted tissue without thermal damage, allowing for truly non-invasive surgical solutions.

Barman, a physician-executive with more than two decades of medical technology leadership experience, previously served as the company's chief operating officer and will steward Sound Blade through its next phase of clinical development, the company said in a statement.

"Neil brings an exceptional combination of leadership, clinical insight, and medtech expertise," said executive chairman Tony Natale. 

Prior to joining Sound Blade, Barman served as chief scientific officer at ReCor Medical, where he played a key role in securing the first FDA approval for ultrasound renal denervation therapy. He also co-founded May Health, which develops novel treatments for PCOS-related infertility, and has held senior leadership roles at multiple medtech companies that were later acquired by industry leaders including Medtronic and Stryker, the company said.

Sound Blade Medical also revealed that Jeremy Brown, company founder and inventor, will continue to serve as chief technical officer. 

"Jeremy's groundbreaking work in handheld histotripsy established the scientific foundation of Sound Blade," said Barman. "His leadership has been instrumental in transforming the company from an innovative concept to a platform positioned for meaningful clinical impact."

Brown founded Sound Blade with the aim of developing a non-invasive therapeutic platform using focused ultrasound to replace traditional surgical approaches across multiple medical conditions. Under his leadership, the company developed its histotripsy technology into a compact, handheld form.