Virtual Learning iPad app for EVD

Advanced Medical Imaging and Visualization Unit at Bangor University, Wales, has developed a surgical training tool for the iPad tablet called  ‘VCath’, designed to take a neurosurgical trainee through the steps of positioning and inserting a external ventricular drainage into the brain of a virtual 3D patient.

The Ipad app is available for free.

This tool will soon undergo a validation study on the effectiveness of VCath as a training tool. This will be in collaboration with the neurosurgery departments at theLeeds General Infirmary, and Wales University Hospital, Cardiff.

Read more in Press Release: http://medical-imaging.org.uk/PDF/VCath%20Online%20PDF.pdf

Download for free here (Itunes): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vcath/id568887198?ls=1&mt=8

Mazor Renaissance Robotic Surgery Guidance System used for Brain Surgery

Mazor Robotics, from Israel, has announced that the first robot-guided brain surgical procedures using the Mazor Renaissance platform have been successfully performed.

Applications in the brain will be for biopsies, shunt placements and neurostimulation electrode placement such as for deep brain stimulation. In these procedures it will be an alternative to the use of stereotactic frames for navigation.

According to the company, the robot’s precision, simplicity and safety profile have the potential to increase patient comfort, improve surgical accuracy and provide a less invasive approach, as well as potentially increase utilization of the installed base.

Read more on Medgadget.

Read more about Renaissance.

OmniGuide releases next generation CO2 laser system

OmniGuide, Cambridge, MA, US is releasing the new FELS-25A Intelliguide surgical laser for minimally invasive surgery.

According to the Press Release: The Intelliguide is an automated, high precision CO2 laser for use with OmniGuide’s breakthrough BeamPath® fibers, creating a solution that significantly improves precision, access and control in surgical cutting.

OmniGuide leverages the benefits of CO2 laser, known to be one of the safest, most effective and most precise surgical cutting modalities available to improve minimally invasive surgical outcomes.

Read more on Medgadget.

Read more in Press Release.

Medtronic launches POWEREASE Instruments for Reconstructive Spine Surgery

In a News Release Medtronic announces the launch of the POWEREASE System, a system of electronic instruments designed specifically for the use in instrumented, or reconstructive, spine surgery.

The POWEREASE System is used for drilling, tapping and driving specialized implants during spinal surgery, including open and minimally invasive procedures.

According to the News Release, biomechanical testing versus manual instruments demonstrated that the POWEREASE™ System required 51% less time for tapping the pedicle and 55% less time for placing pedicle screws. This testing also showed greater control with 38% less wobble of the instrument compared to manual instruments. However, biomechanics testing is not necessarily indicative of human clinical outcome.

Read more on Medgadget.

Read more in News Release.