Castro Valley, CA (PRWEB) June 02, 2017
Sutter Health’s Eden Medical Center is the first hospital in Northern California to acquire BrightMatter™ technology. This innovative system uses advanced imaging, planning, navigation and robotics for complex brain and spinal surgery. The technology will improve surgical care and outcomes for patients with brain tumors, stroke, head and spine trauma, as well as patients with chronic neck and back pain. This advancement may offer surgery as an option to some patients who had previously been deemed inoperable.
“This technology will revolutionize the way we manage neurological patients,” said Lawrence Dickinson, M.D., Neurosurgeon, Eden Medical Center Neuroscience Center. “For example, patients with brain tumors can now have surgery with much less risk of disturbing the important pathways of the brain. This advancement may also allow for smaller incisions, shorter patient recovery time and may transform cases previously deemed inoperable to operable with a greatly improved prognosis.”
BrightMatter provides neurosurgeons with the latest in visualization tools to perform less-invasive, patient-specific procedures. Using an imaging method called diffusion tensor imaging, or DTI, BrightMatter automatically processes whole brain tractography, allowing physicians to consider approaches for navigating around critical structures in neurological surgery. The integrated imaging and navigation systems permit physicians to see details during surgery which may allow access to brain locations previously deemed inoperable.
As a complement to this new visual information, surgeons can use the fully automated digital exoscope, a high-powered magnification system mounted on a robotic arm. This system can automatically follow the surgeon’s tools and show the optimal view of patient anatomy in unprecedented detail without having to manually manipulate cumbersome optics. BrightMatter allows for better surgical ergonomics, facilitates collaboration with operating room staff, and consumes less surgical time, all factors that could lead to better outcomes.
“With better 3-D visualization for the surgeons, this new technology will help neuro patients across Northern California’s Sutter Health network and beyond,” says Conrad Vial, M.D., Physician Executive, Sutter Health Bay Area. “This innovation builds on the already forward-looking platform that our Neuroscience team has assembled at Eden Medical Center, as such it allows us to make an even more positive contribution to our patients’ well-being.”
The generous donors to Better Health East Bay - the Sutter Health philanthropic foundation supporting Sutter’s East Bay network of doctors and hospitals - provided funding support to bring the BrightMatter technology to Eden Medical Center.
About Sutter Health
Sutter Health was named one of the nation’s top five large health systems in 2016 thanks to its integrated network of physician, employee and volunteer pioneers—more than 60,000 people strong. Rooted in Sutter Health’s not-for-profit mission, these team members partner to deliver exceptional care that feels personal. From physician offices to hospitals to outpatient care centers and home services, they proudly support and learn from the more than 3 million people in their care—nearly 1 percent of the U.S. population, in one of the most diverse and innovative regions in the world. Sutter pioneers adopt new technologies, make novel discoveries and embrace creative thinking to help patients and communities achieve their best health. From its street nurse program that provides check-ups for homeless people, to telemedicine-aided specialist consultations, to walk-in care clinics, to smart glass technology, the Sutter Health team goes beyond traditional models to make care more convenient and to nurture and empower people throughout their medical journey.
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