Wireless Image-Guided Surgery System

A new wireless system is designed to give surgeons and neurosurgeons a major advantage over previous image-guided-surgery (IGS) technologies by simplifying the process and increasing the accuracy.

Called Vector Vision, the new system allows neurosurgeons to merge patient anatomy data with diagnostic images of the brain itself, provided by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, creating a computer-generated 3-D graphic of the skull and brain. This image is displayed on a computer touch-screen throughout the entire surgery. New marker technology allows any surgical instrument used in the operating room to be integrated into the system. Vector Vision enables surgeons to visually track the exact location and movement of each instrument on a touch-screen monitor located in front of them. Moreover, they control all aspects of the IGS system with the touch of a finger.

The system was developed by BrainLAB (Munich, Germany). The company states that previous technology used for neuronavigation required the attachment of cumbersome wires and cables or even a mechanical arm to the instruments. Vector Vision's wireless component gives surgeons unlimited range of motion during an operation. The system is particularly well-suited for performing complicated and delicate surgeries to remove brain tumors and other brain abnormalities.

Vector Vision runs on a Windows NT operating system, with the notebook and docking station located in the surgeon's office to facilitate the preplanning process.

Before this new technology arrived, a technician controlled the system, but now we're able to control the system ourselves by simply touching the screen, said Roseanna Lechner, M.D., a neurosurgeon at MetroHealth (Cleveland, OH, USA), where the system is being used. Dr. Lechner says the surgeon's ability to easily and quickly control the system means that the surgery can proceed more efficiently, cutting the operation time by up to 25%.