HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) History Although medical applications of the HIFU treatment have only come in recent years the first work to consider the potential applications of HIFU was completed in 1942. This work was built upon in the 1950’s by William and Frank Fry. Frank Fry was able to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions with HIFU treatment. Research into the use of HIFU continued throughout the 1950’s and 60’s but practical and technological limitations hampered their progress