Innovative spine surgery option available at Saint Luke’s

April 27, 2011 - PRLog -- KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Saint Luke’s Brain and Stroke Institute, renowned for its spine program, has entered a new era in advanced patient care with the O-arm® Multidimensional Imaging System manufactured and distributed by the Navigation division of Medtronic, Inc. . Medtronic is the world’s largest medical device and technology company, and the foremost provider of minimally invasive computer-assisted surgery and intra-operative imaging solutions.

The O-arm® Imaging System provides complete multi-dimensional, intra-operative surgical imaging. It provides surgeons with real-time, 3-D images, as well as multi-plane, 2-D and fluoroscopic imaging. Using these images, Saint Luke’s neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons can view the patient anatomy in the operative position, monitor the status of the surgery and verify the surgical changes with a 3-D volumetric image prior to the patient leaving the surgical suite. As a result, patients undergoing spinal procedures may experience less invasive surgeries, faster recovery times and improved outcomes.

“Getting real-time, 3-dimensional imaging during surgery represents a quantum leap in patient care, especially in cases with complex anatomy such as spinal tumors and deformity,” said neurosurgeon William S. Rosenberg, M.D.

The O-arm® Imaging System, with patented breakable gantry, uses a flat-screen detector that enables it to collect 2-D or 3-D volumetric imaging within seconds and is designed specifically for use by surgeons in standard operating rooms while yielding high-quality imaging comparable to fixed CT systems. Electromechanical features enable repeatable positioning of the gantry between imaging shots and an unobtrusive location to permit unrestricted patient access.

Initially intended for use in orthopaedic surgical procedures, the O-arm® Imaging System features the design flexibility to allow for expansion to additional surgical applications. The O-arm® Imaging System received FDA clearance in early 2006.

About Saint Luke’s Brain and Stroke Institute
The Saint Luke’s Brain and Stroke Institute is a nationally-recognized stroke and neurological treatment center, and offers an integrated inpatient and outpatient program dedicated to improving outcomes in people with diseases of the brain, nervous system and spine. For more information, visit http://www.saintlukeshealthsystem.org.

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Saint Luke's Health System based in Kansas City, Mo., consists of 11 area hospitals in northwest Missouri and eastern Kansas, and several primary and specialty care practices. We provide a range of inpatient, outpatient and home care services.