Graham BoschCarondelet Neurological Institute at St. Joseph鈥檚 Hospital in Tucson recently acquired new GPS-guided surgical robot technology to help surgeons perform complex spinal fusion surgeries.
The computer-guided, robot-assisted platform is the first of its kind in Tucson.
鈥淩obotic guidance is an assistant for the surgeon,鈥� said Dr. Matthew Wilson, a surgeon at CNI. 鈥淭he robotic arm aligns tools along a planned pathway to place screw implants to stabilize the spine. Navigation is a way for the surgeon to see the tools in relation to a patient鈥檚 body on a screen as the tools are being used.鈥�
According to CNI, the system acts 鈥渓ike a car鈥檚 GPS navigation system鈥� by following an individualized map based on images of the patient鈥檚 anatomy imported into the computerized robot, guiding the robotic arm to specific areas of the spine.
All this helps the surgeon calculate the accurate size and placement of screws and implants during spine surgery.
鈥淢uch like a GPS in your car, the surgeon plans the route to place screw implants in the spine and the robotic system helps aligns that pathway to accurately place the screws,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淭he surgical tools and implant are visible on the GPS screen throughout the entire procedure.鈥�
CNI is in Arizona investing in state-of-the-art, minimally invasive surgery equipment.
鈥淢inimally invasive surgery combines a surgeon鈥檚 understanding of anatomy with x-ray imaging to treat spine conditions using small incisions,鈥� allowing the surgeon to separate the muscles surrounding the spine rather than cut through them, according to CNI.
The GPS-guided system at CNI is approved to place in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine.
Common procedure options that may involve pedicle screw placement include:
- Posterior Fusion
- Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
- Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion
- Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
- Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Carondelet Neurological Institute, part of the Carondelet Health Network, is located at St. Joseph鈥檚 Hospital at 350 N. Wilmot Road in Tucson.
Joseph Kavetsky
Noemi Santaella
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