Intraoperative neurosurgical platforms offer precision and workflow
improvement for ablating brain tumors
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - IMRIS Inc. (NASDAQ: IMRS; TSX: IM)
("IMRIS" or the "Company") today announced that the Company's InSituTM wireless coil and Monteris NeuroBlate® laser ablation system have been used together for the first time at a
leading United States neuroscience center. This combination brought
improved visualization and workflow in removing a patient's low-grade
glioma brain tumor inside a VISIUS® Surgical Theatre.
"Using the sterile InSitu wireless coil with the NeuroBlate system
streamlines the workflow for transitioning between intraoperative
imaging and surgery and provides high-quality MR images for
navigation," said Monteris President and CEO John E. Schellhorn.
The InSitu Coil is a sterile, wireless, ultra-lightweight and disposable
imaging coil that eliminates the need to manage cables and heavy
imaging coils typically draped and removed between intraoperative
scans. Instead, this coil is secured directly to the sterile field, and
provides an open window for direct access to the operative site for the
manipulation of the NeuroBlate robotic laser thermotherapy probe or
other surgical tools. The NeuroBlate System, a type of laser
interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), applies focused energy under
MR-guidance to ablate tumors through a minimally invasive approach,
while the system's cooling technology helps avoid damage to adjacent
healthy tissue.
The InSitu wireless coil enhances the image quality of MR images
acquired by the VISIUS iMR scanner. The InSitu Coil remains in a
consistent position during the procedure, eliminating the small
fluctuations in the MR images that may be caused if using a coil that
requires repositioning between scans.
"The experience of neurosurgeons has demonstrated that employing MR
imaging and software-based visualization with the Monteris system
allows the ablation of targeted tissue using minimally invasive
techniques through very small holes in the skull," Schellhorn added.
IMRIS CEO and President Jay D. Miller said, "These two technologies
working together inside the VISIUS Surgical Theatre is another example
of where the IMRIS intraoperative MR facilitates minimally invasive
neurosurgical workflows and high quality imaging with patient safety
and improved outcomes in mind. The state-of-the-art VISIUS iMR is an
effective platform for enabling new minimally invasive technologies
that improve surgical results, particularly for precision into eloquent
and difficult to reach areas of the brain. The InSitu Coil is the
result of our core competency in designing intraoperative imaging
solutions."
Allowing for serial scanning during neurosurgery without compromising
patient safety, a VISIUS Surgical Theatre with high-field (1.5 or 3.0
Tesla) iMRI technology provides surgeons with on-demand access to
real-time diagnostic quality imaging during the procedure. For brain
tumor procedures, serial scanning gives the surgeon the ability to
assess and decide to perform further resection to remove as much tumor
as possible by clearly visualizing tumor and healthy brain tissue which
otherwise are hard to differentiate.
Patient transport for imaging is not required with VISIUS iMRI as the
scanner uniquely moves to the patient on ceiling-mounted rails. IMRIS
also provides 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 61 leading medical
institutions around the world.
About Monteris
Monteris Medical is a privately held company developing innovative
MRI-guided, laser-based brain lesion therapy. Monteris Medical markets
the NeuroBlate® System, a neurosurgical ablation device providing
controlled therapy for difficult-to-treat brain lesions. Monteris also
offers the AXiiiS® Stereotactic Miniframe; a single use platform for
image-guided, stereotactic brain biopsy; and the AtamA™ Stabilization
System for MRI-guided neurosurgical procedures requiring head fixation.
www.monteris.com.
SOURCE IMRIS Inc.
Image with caption: "The IMRIS InSitu™ wireless coil has been used for the first time for MR-guided imaging with the Monteris Neuroblate® laser ablation system during a neurosurgical procedure at a leading United States hospital. (CNW Group/IMRIS Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140909_C8738_PHOTO_EN_42671.jpg
