Gary Onik

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Gary Onik was born on February 25, 1952 in Brooklyn, New York City, to an accountant and a homemaker. He was educated at Harvard University, and received his medical degree from the New York Medical College.

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Background

One of the first science books Onik ever read was a picture book on Louis Pasteur, and it provided him with inspiration to pursue a medical career.

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Inventions

Gary Onik is the inventor of ultrasound guided cryosurgery for both the prostate and the liver.

Onik treated the first liver patients with cryosurgery in 1986 and the first patient with ultrasound guided prostate cryosurgery in 1990, and has developed techniques and instrumentation that have been integral to the minimally invasive treatment of cancer.

Onik pioneered the concept of a Male Lumpectomy in which only the cancerous area of the prostate is destroyed by freezing; his research in this area was honoured by the Society of Uroradiology as the most important research paper at their 2004 annual meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. He also utilizes a new biopsy technique called 3D Prostate Mapping Biopsy, in which the extent and location of a patient's cancer is determined by a more accurate biopsy carried out with specialized guidance devices.

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Medical career

Gary Onik MD, while still in radiology residency training, published the first article suggesting the possibility of image guided thermal tumour ablation; destroying a tumour through freezing or heating and then leaving it to be resorbed by the body. In 1982, using cryosurgical ablation under ultrasound guidance he developed the first new potentially curative treatment for unresectable liver cancer patients. This work spawned image guided RF ablation of liver tumours and subsequently the field, of what is now a 4th branch of oncology, called "Interventional Oncology".

On a parallel research tract, Dr. Onik developed one of the first successful minimally invasive spinal procedures, Automated Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy (APLD), which is still being used almost twenty five years after its initial introduction. This procedure was developed concurrently with his work in hepatic cancer ablation, and spinal surgery.

Dr Onik developed the instrumentation and techniques that allowed for the cryosurgical ablation of prostate cancer, which is now an accepted alternative to radiation and radical prostatectomy and the preferred treatment for patients with prostate cancer who have failed radiation therapy. His concept of "focal therapy" of prostate cancer, treating only the prostate tumour rather than the whole gland, similar to a breast lumpectomy, is now a major research and treatment initiative in all of the major prostate cancer centres in the world.

His recent development of "Irreversible Electroporation" (IRE) "Nano Knife" the first "non thermal" tumour ablation modality is now being used to successfully treat inoperable pancreatic carcinoma, a recently published study indicating it can double overall survival time. This modality also promises effective treatment for other inoperable tumours including those of the head and neck and the brain. The concepts and techniques he developed have had a major impact on the treatment of cancer patients throughout the world and his work has been recognized by awards given to him by major societies in both medicine and engineering.

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Education

UNDERGRADUATE

• 1970-1974 Harvard University BA 1974 Cambridge, MA GRADUATE:
• 1974-1978 New York Medical College MD 1978 Valhalla, NY POST GRADUATE:
• 1978-1979 University of Minnesota Internship Minneapolis, MN Internal Medicine
• 1979-1981 Lompoc Federal Penitentiary Chief, Health Programs/US Lompoc, CA Public Health Service
• 1981-1984 University of California Residency San Francisco, CA Diagnostic Radiology
• 1984-1985 New England Deaconess Fellowship Harvard Medical School CT/Ultrasound Radiology Boston, MA
• 1985-1986 New England Deaconess Research Fellow Harvard Medical School Interventional Radiology Boston, MA
• 2009-2010 Landing School Boat systems student Kennebunkport ME. ABYC certified Master Marine Technician
• 2010-2011 Langkawi Sailing School Royal Yachting Association Yachtmaster Offshore Certified

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Career

ACADEMIC:

• 1987-1990 University of Pennsylvania Adjunct Assistant Philadelphia, PA Professor of Radiology
• 1989-1990 University of Pittsburgh Associate Professor Pittsburgh, PA of Radiology and 3 Neurosurgery
• 1991-1994 Medical College of Pennsylvania Professor of Allegheny Campus Neurosurgery 1994-1995 University of Florida Visiting Associate Gainesville, FL Professor Department of Surgery
• 2008-2010 University of Central Florida Professor of Radiology Medical School, Orlando FL.
• 2008-2009 Hebrew University of Jerusalem Visiting Professor School of Engineering and Computer Science
• 2013-present Carnegie Mellon University Adjunct Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering

NON-ACADEMIC POSITIONS:

• 1986-1989 Allegheny-Singer Research Senior Scientist Allegheny General Hospital Neurosurgery Pittsburgh, PA Department
• 1989-1991 University of Pittsburgh Director of Pittsburgh, PA Interventional Radiology Research
• 1991-1994 Allegheny General Hospital Director, Division of Pittsburgh, PA Cryomedicine Department of Neurosurgery 1994-1996 Princeton Hospital Chairman, Orlando, FL Department of Minimally Invasive Therapy
• 1996-1999 Center for Diagnostic Imaging Medical Director, Orlando, FL
• 2000-2009 Celebration Health Director of Surgical Imaging Center for Surgical Advancement
• 2013-present Center for Recurrent and High Risk Prostate Cancer, Director.
• Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University

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Patents

• Rubinsky Boris, Onik Gary, Finkelstein J J, Neu Dan, Jones Steve: Cryosurgical system for destroying tumors by freezing. Cryomedical Sciences August 1994: US 5334181 (38 worldwide citation)
• Cosman Eric Richard, Onik Gary Mark: A hand-held body stereotactic instrument. Cosman Eric Richard February 1991: EP0414130 (3 worldwide citation)
• Onik Gary, Ginsburg Leonard: Irrigating, cutting and aspirating system for percutaneous surgery. E-Z-EM July 1987: US 4678459 (66 worldwide citation) 7
• Onik Gary M, Cosman Eric R, Wells Trent H: Method and apparatus for stereotaxic placement of probes in the body utilizing CT scanner localization. April 1986: US 4583538 (60 worldwide citation)
• Cosman Eric R, Onik Gary M: Localization device for probe placement under CT scanner imaging. June 1989: US 4838265 (31 worldwide citation)
• Baust John G, Chang Zhao H, Cohen Jeffrey, Onik Gary, Reyes George: Closed circulation tissue warming apparatus and method of using the same in prostate surgery. Cryomedical Sciences August 1995: US 5437673 (17 worldwide citation)
• Downey Donal, Fenster Aaron, Onik Gary: System, employing three-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging, for assisting in guiding and placing medical instruments. Life Imaging Systems June 1998: WO 1998/023214 (4 worldwide citation)Rubinsky Boris, Onik Gary, Mikus Paul: Methods and systems for treating tissue sites using electroporation. Angiodynamics June 2008: WO 2008/070521
• Onik Gary Mark: Apparatus for stereotaxic placement of probes in the body utilizing ct scanner localization. Onik Gary Mark November 1985: EP0160238 (3 worldwide citation)
• Klyce Henry, Clawson Benjamin S, Onik Gary, Chernack Milton P: Introduction set with flexible trocar with curved cannula. Surgical Dynamics March 1989: WO 1989/001797 (3 worldwide citation) 10. Onik Gary: Patient isolation bag. January 1990: US 4895171 (1 worldwide citation) 11. Whitmore Iii Willet Francis, Schenck Arthur J, Onik Gary M: Real time ultrasound monitoring of the motion of internal structures during respiration for control of therapy delivery. Civco Medical Instruments June 2006: WO 2006/057911 (1 worldwide citation)
• Onik Gary, Reyes George, Pottorff Larry, Cohen Jeffrey: Biopsy needle insertion guide for prostate cryosurgery. Cryomedical Sciences January 1995: WO 1995/002663 (1 worldwide citation)
• Rubinsky Boris, Onik Gary, Mikus Paul: Methods and systems for treating tumors using electroporation. Oncobionic March 2008: EP1898997
• Rubinsky Boris, Onik Gary, Mikus Paul: Methods and systems for treating restenosis sites using electroporation. Oncobionic March 2008: EP1898996
• Rubinsky Boris, Onik Gary, Neu Dan, Jones Steve, Finkelstein J J: Cryosurgical instrument and system and method of cryosurgery. Cryomedical Sciences July 1993: EP0550666
• Rubinsky Boris, Onik Gary, Neu Dan, Jones Steve, Finkelstein J J: Cryosurgical instrument and system and method of cryosurgery. / Instrument de cryochirurgie et systeme et methode de cryochirurgie. Cryomedical Sciences March 1992: CA 2091893
• Rubinsky Boris, Mikus Paul, Onik Gary: ????????????. / Electroporation controlled with real time imaging. University of California January 2009: HK 1116647
• Rubinsky Boris, Mikus Paul, Onik Gary: Electroporation controlled with real time imaging. University of California November 2006: WO 2006/116608
• Whitmore Iii Willet F, Wilson Roger F, Onik Gary M, Barzell Winston E, Brauner Stephen E: Support system for use when performing medical imaging of a patient. Civco Medical Instruments October 2005: WO 2005/096764 8
• Onik Gary M: Combined electrosurgical-cryosurgical instrument. Onik Gary M September 2001: WO 2001/067975
• Rubinsky Boris, Mikus Paul, Onik Gary: Electroporation controlled with real time imaging. Univ California January 2008: EP1874191
• Rubinsky Boris, Onik Gary, Mikus Paul: Methods and systems for treating tumors using electroporation. Oncobionic January 2007: WO 2007/001747
• Rubinsky Boris, Onik Gary, Mikus Paul: Methods and systems for treating fatty tissue sites using electroporation. Oncobionic January 2007: WO 2007/001750
• Rubinsky Boris, Onik Gary, Mikus Paul: Methods and systems for treating BPH using electroporation. Oncobionic January 2007: WO 2007/001751
• Rubinsky Boris, Onik Gary, Mikus Paul: Methods and systems for treating restenosis sites using electroporation. Oncobionic January 2007: WO 2007/001753
• Whitmore Willet F III, Wilson Roger F, Onik Gary M, Barzell Winston E, Brauner Stephen E: Support system for use when performing medical imaging of a patient. Civco Medical Instruments May 2009: CN 200580016629
• Rubinsky Boris, Onik Gary, Mikus Paul: Methods and systems for treating bph using electroporation. Oncobionic March 2008: EP1898993
• Fenster Aaron, Onik Gary, Downey Donal B: System, employing three-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging, for assisting in guiding and placing medical instruments. / Systeme mettant en oeuvre une imagerie ecographique tridimensionnelle et servant au guidage et au placement d'instruments medicaux. Life Imaging Systems June 1998: CA 2271651
• Onik Gary, Miessau James, System and method for creating radiofrequency energy electrical membrane breakdown for tissue ablation. US PAP. 2015/0150618

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Books

• The Male Lumpectomy: A Rational New Approach to Treating Prostate Cancer
  • ISBN 978-1-4184-9771-2 (electronic book)
  • ISBN 978-1-4184-9769-9 (paperback)
  • ISBN 978-1-4184-9770-5 (hardcover)
• Prostate Cancer, A Patient's Guide to Treatment - ISBN 1-886039-69-0 (paperback, June 2004)
• Percutaneous Automated Lumbar Discectomy. Gary Onik and Clyde Helms, Editors, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Radiology Research Foundation, San Francisco, 1988
• Atlas of Automated Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy, (APLD) According to the Onik, Method. A. Solini, Gary Onik, Consulting Editor, Springer-Verlag, Wien, New York 1989 and Aulo Gaggi, Editore, Bologna, Italy
• Hepatic Metastases: Diagnosis and Management. Edited by DL Morris, CS McArdle, and Gary Onik. Heinemann, Oxford, England. 1996
• Percutaneous Prostate Cryoablation. Edited by Gary Onik, Boris Rubinsky, Graham Watson, and Richard Ablin. Quality Medical Publishing, St Louis, MO. 1995
• Prostate Cancer, A Patient's Guide to Treatment. Arthur Centeno MD and Gary Onik MD Addicus Books 2004 9
• Male Lumpectomy: A Rational New Approach to Treating Prostate Cancer. Gary Onik MD Authorhouse Books. 2005
• Male Lumpectomy. Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer. 2nd Edition. Gary Onik MD and Karen Barrie. Authorhouse Books. 2007

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Honors

• 1977 Alpha Omega Alpha - Honor Medical Society 1978 Dr. and Mrs. David Harrison Scholarship Award: Presented to member of graduating class who has achieved highest scholastic average during the four years.
• 1978 Radiology Award - New York Medical College Presented each year to the graduate student who has shown the most proficiency in the specialty of radiology.
• 1978 Samuel Spiegel, M.D., Award - Highest class standing in the four years. 1978 David Spiro, M.D., Ph.D., Award - Presented to a graduating student for outstanding achievement in the undergraduate study of pathology.
• 1983 National Institute of Health (NIH), Oncologic Imaging Research Fellow 1984 Executive Council Award American Roentgen Ray Society Award for research demonstrating the ultrasound visualization of cryosurgery in the liver.
• 1984 Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Cancer Fund Fellowship. 1986 Roscoe E. Miller Award 5 Society of Gastrointestinal Radiology Award for most original research presented. Topic was "First Human Hepatic Cryosurgery Experience".
• 1987 RSNA - Scientific Exhibit Award - Magna Cum Laude Automated Percutaneous Discectomy in the Treatment of Herniated Lumbar Discs
• 1987 RSNA - Scientific Exhibit Award - Honorable Mention Hepatic Cryosurgery in the Treatment of Unresectable Liver Tumors. Human Study Cryosurgery. 1988 Presented Seal of Turin - Turin, Italy Honorary Citizen - for accomplishments in spine surgery.
• 1994 RSNA - Scientific Exhibit Award - Certificate of Merit MR Imaging for monitoring cryosurgery 2001 Chosen as a "Visionary Radiologist" by Diagnostic Imaging.
• 2002 Nominated for the Russ Prize (Highest Award of the National Academy of Engineering in bioengineering)
• 2002 R and D 100 Award- Given to the 100 most significant technological advances of the year. For the "Bionic Chip" developed by Excellin Inc.
• 2003 Elected Honorary Member of Florida Urology Society 2004 1st Prize, Best Research Paper, Society of Uroradiology Focal cryosurgery for prostate cancer "A Male Lumpectomy"
• 2007 "Gold Award" International Society of Cryosurgery. For lifetime achievement in the field of cryosurgery.

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References

Source of article : Wikipedia