University of Oklahoma Health is using innovative procedures and technology to improve the lives of patients with movement disorders and other neurological conditions, according to a press release.
OU Health becomes the first to use ClearPoint Neuro Inc.’s SmartFrame OR platform to revolutionize deep brain stimulation surgeries, the release stated. The procedure involves implanting a neurostimulator in the brain to deliver electrical impulses aiding patients with movement disorders and other neurological conditions.
SmartFrame OR is a stereotactic platform involving a disposable, temporary mount on the skull that helps accurate electrode placement in the brain. The device would eliminate the need for awake procedures in the operating room and provide a safer and more efficient surgical option, according to the release.
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The new technology will allow accurate electrode placement in the brain while patients can sleep, resulting in faster procedures.
“SmartFrame OR represents a paradigm shift for DBS surgeries,” Dr. Andrew Conner, OU Health neurosurgeon and assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine said in the release.
Patients receiving deep brain stimulation surgery can only be asleep if the procedure is done in an MRI machine. However, due to patient safety, those with pacemakers or other similar medical devices are unable to get the procedure in an MRI environment.
A pacemaker could heat up within the MRI machine and if the patient is asleep, they would be unable to communicate any dangerous discomfort to surgeons. The procedure would need to be conducted in an operating room.
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The accuracy in a normal operating room for the procedure isn’t as correct as an MRI because it relies on equipment that must be frequently re-calibrated and maintained, the release said.
Each SmartFrame OR platform does not require specialized maintenance and frequent calibration, allowing consistency in every case.
SmartFrame OR “seamlessly” integrates with MRI and CT technology directly in the operating room, bringing in advanced imaging tools for real-time visualization and reducing the need for repeat scans.
Conner was one of the first surgeons to use the device during the Food and Drug Administration Usability Study.
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“This new technology represents a leap forward for DBS surgery. It offers incredibly accurate, consistent, and reliable results. It is truly a game-changer,” Conner said in the release.
Movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia, affect about 42 million people in the United States, according to the release. Common treatments involve medications, physical and occupational therapy, botulinum toxin injections and surgical options like deep brain stimulation surgery.
“OU Health’s adoption of SmartFrame puts us on the global map,” Conner said in the release. “We’re proud to lead the way in patient-centered innovation.”