O-arm: New Intraoperative Multidimensional Imaging Tool for Spinal Surgeries

Using the O-arm, a multidimensional imaging system during spinal, lumbar, thoracic, and cervical surgeries enhances recovery and ensures better patient outcomes. The O-arm is used for minimally invasive spinal procedures. It has a navigationalcomponent that assists the surgeon to ensure precision in the placement of implants. As part of continuing efforts to provide patients with the latest in medical technology, Mercy Medical Center has added the Medtronic O-arm® Mobile Surgical Imaging System to lessen radiation exposure and improve spinal surgery results, Charles C. Park, M.D., Ph.D., Director of The Minimally Invasive Brain and Spine Center at Mercy has announced.

The O-arm Surgical Imaging System is a multi-dimensional surgical imaging platform for use in cranial, spine, and trauma-related surgeries. The system provides real-time, intra-operative imaging of a patient’s anatomy including bones and implants with high quality images and a large field-of-view in both two and three dimensions.

“In essence, the O-arm is a mobile X-ray machine that offers a 360-degree scan of the patient’s anatomy during spinal, lumbar, thoracic and cervical surgeries. It provides me with the best viewing positions, allowing for real-time navigation of spinal instrumentation in 3D. While others utilize the O-arm in traditional, open surgery, I use the system for minimally invasive spinal procedures,” Dr. Park said.

In the OR, the O-arm forms a ring around the patient which can be opened and closed so the patient does not have to be moved. It rotates to take 2-D moving x-rays and 3-D images of the body. The O-arm includes a navigational component that allows the surgeon to guide instruments through the body in real time, ensuring greater precision in the placement of hardware.

“The processing is very fast; you can capture the entire cervical spine in a single 13-second scan. In less than half a minute, the O-arm can take nearly 400 images,” Dr. Park said. The images are then reconstructed on large digital flat-screen mobile viewing station which Dr. Park reviews during the surgery.

“The O-arm ensures that patient hardware or implants are placed as exactly as possible, reducing the chances of a second corrective surgery. The result is a faster, less invasive surgery and less time in the OR. Patient recovery is enhanced, and we see better patient outcomes,” Dr. Park added.

Founded in 1874 by The Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center is a university-affiliated Catholic hospital with a national reputation for women’s health and orthopedics. Mercy is home to the acclaimed Weinberg Center for Women’s Health & Medicine and the $400+ million, 20-story Mary Catherine Bunting Center. For more information about Mercy, visit www.mdmercy.com, MDMercyMedia on FACEBOOK and TWITTER, or call 1-800-M.D.-Mercy.



Source-Newswise