O-arm Portable Imaging Solution Used In Modesto OR
Although not directly related to teleradiology, I thought this technology was interesting … I’m curious what makes this technology less of an infection-threat than existing portable x-ray machines. I suppose if it’s permanently installed in the OR it would be as sterile as anything else; but moving it in and out pre-closure would seem equally risky.
Any readers know the answer?
The Modesto Bee :: Scanner puts docs in right position
Advances in radiology seem to emerge every week, whether it’s the computer tomography scanner that can detect grain-size cancer tissues in the lungs or compact ultrasound machines that are carted to remote villages in Third World countries.Doctors Medical Center is touting its O-arm, which is giving surgeons quality images while the patient lies on the operating room table. DMC purchased the $800,000 mobile imaging platform and deployed it in March. Only two others are in operation in California, one at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center, the other at a hospital in Santa Barbara.
Dr. Benjamin Remington, a neurosurgeon, said he is using the O-arm platform several times a week for spinal fusion operations, in which two vertebrae are united to stabilize a patient’s back. Screws need to be inserted in the vertebra at a certain depth and angle. The scanner allows him to inspect his work before he closes the patient’s sutures.
Surgeons at DMC have access to a portable X-ray machine in the operating rooms, but the pictures are inferior and moving its arm into place near the patient increases the risk of infection.
The O-arm is primarily suited for spinal and orthopedic procedures. But as the software is improved, Remington hopes to use it in operations to remove brain tumors or insert electrodes for deep brain stimulation, a procedure that stops tremors in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Technorati Tags: o-arm, scanner, radiology, teleradiology
Written by David on June 10th, 2007 with
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