Le Bonheur neurosurgeons complete first cases using MR-safe headrest
designed specifically for intraoperative imaging in VISIUS Surgical
Theatre
MINNEAPOLIS, March 26, 2014 /CNW/ - IMRIS Inc. (NASDAQ: IMRS) (TSX: IM)
("IMRIS" or the "Company") today announced the initial uses of its
neurosurgical horseshoe headrest with VISIUS® intraoperative MRI (iMRI) during two cases at Le Bonheur Children's
Hospital in Memphis, TN. The IMRIS horseshoe headrest is the world's
first MR-safe and CT-compatible horseshoe headrest on the market for
the positioning of patients ranging from neonatal to adult during
neurosurgical procedures requiring intraoperative imaging in the VISIUS® Surgical Theatre.
"The IMRIS horseshoe headrest worked well for providing the ideal prone
positioning during this procedure," said Dr. Frederick Boop, Chairman
of the Department of Neurosurgery and Co-director of Le Bonheur's
Neuroscience Institute who performed the first case of a tumor surgery
on a five- year-old child. "In the past we would not have had an iMRI
option for this child and now the tumor is completely gone. We have now
advanced our treatment to a group of kids for whom it will really make
a difference. Even our youngest and most fragile patients can benefit
from intraoperative MR, which would not have been possible otherwise."
The second neurosurgical case the following day involved a
four-month-old baby operated on by Dr. Paul Klimo, chief of the
division of pediatric neurosurgery at Le Bonheur and University of
Tennessee Health Science Center.
The device provides non-pinned (or non-rigid) head support in prone,
lateral, and supine positions during head, neck and cervical spine
surgeries where use of a head fixation device (HFD) - a clamp-like
device - is not desirable because the skull is too fragile for pinning.
These patients may be babies whose skulls are still soft or older
patients with weakened skull bones. This headrest may also be useful
for other applications not requiring rigid fixation, such as those that
access the skull through the nose.
Dr. Boop plans to discuss his initial experiences using the IMRIS
horseshoe headrest and the value of iMRI in pediatric neurosurgery on
April 7 at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
annual meeting in San Francisco. Le Bonheur Children's Hospital last
year credited use of VISIUS iMRI in reducing re-operation rates by 84
percent after two years with the imaging system in operation.
IMRIS President and CEO Jay D. Miller said the horseshoe headrest was
designed for patient comfort and smooth staff workflow during
neurosurgery. "Surgeons at hospitals with VISIUS systems that adopt the
headrest will have an opportunity to access new patient populations -
including those too small for other positioning devices - and
procedures not previously utilized in the surgical theater," he said.
"This headrest will allow surgeons to use iMR on more patients who we
expect will benefit from reduced re-operation rates and other
outcomes."
Inside a VISIUS Surgical Theatre equipped with high-field iMRI, surgeons
have on-demand access to real-time data and state-of-the-art imaging
during the procedure and from the operating room (OR) table without
moving the patient as the scanner moves on ceiling-mounted rails. IMRIS
also designs and manufactures proprietary head fixation devices,
imaging coils, and OR tables for use in this unique and multifunctional
intraoperative environment.
About IMRIS
IMRIS (NASDAQ: IMRS) (TSX: IM) is a global leader in providing image
guided therapy solutions through its VISIUS Surgical Theatre - a
revolutionary, multifunctional surgical environment that provides
unmatched intraoperative vision to clinicians to assist in decision
making and enhance precision in treatment. The multi-room suites
incorporate diagnostic quality high-field MR, CT and angio modalities
accessed effortlessly in the operating room setting. VISIUS Surgical
Theatres serve the neurosurgical, spinal, cardiovascular and
cerebrovascular markets and have been selected by 57 leading medical
institutions around the world.
SOURCE IMRIS Inc.
