Parkwest's BrainSUITE Technology -- Innovation for Brain, Spine, and ENT Procedures
Parkwest Medical Center is the first hospital in the southeast to install a fully integrated BrainSUITE® with Digital Lightbox© technology. Patients no longer have to travel hundreds of miles to receive the level of brain, spine and ear, nose, and throat surgical care this equipment provides.
“We are pleased to invest in this equipment for our patients. Having the latest technology is one of the ways we are able to treat our patients well,” said Parkwest President Rick Lassiter. “Parkwest is one of only five hospitals in the entire nation to equip two operating rooms with this technology.”
The BrainSUITE system from BrainLAB is a comprehensive package that merges a specialized surgical system with existing patient information for a more efficient approach. The new system allows MRI and CT images from Parkwest’s imaging department to be immediately retrieved so that surgical planning is performed in the operating suite prior to the patient entering the OR. Previously, a member of the surgical team had to physically retrieve a disc of the patient’s images from another department.
A Three-Dimensional View
Once the patient information is downloaded, the BrainSUITE system creates a three-dimensional view of the patient on multiple touch screen panels for the surgical team. Using just an index finger and a thumb, a surgical team member can rotate, enlarge or minimize an image to create an image-guided surgical diagram. This allows the surgeon to create a three-dimensional visual roadmap prior to the procedure. Not only does the new technology greatly reduce surgical time, it also provides surgeons with pointpoint precision, and can ultimately improve surgical outcomes.
“This advanced surgical approach is similar to having a navigation system on your car to know where you’re going,” said Parkwest neurosurgeon Dr. Eugenio Vargas. “We are able to plot the most direct surgical course and reduce the total amount of operating time, which provides tremendous benefits for the patient.”
The three-dimensional view with its precise positioning also allows the surgeon to make smaller incisions and reduces the amount of time the patient must be in surgery. All of these components combine to provide the patient the best possible recovery, which is typically shorter in length compared to previous surgical methods.
The BrainLAB also includes a Digital Lightbox©, a 30-inch, high-resolution imaging display in the operating room. It pulls images from the radiology department's Picture Archival and Communication System (PACS) to improve overall workflow. Functioning much like an iPhone®, the display allows images to be rotated, enlarged or minimized to create an image-guided surgical diagram. The Lightbox merges CT and MRI images for a comprehensive image of the patient.
The BrainLAB equipment is based on an open platform that can be easily integrated with new technologies. This will allow Parkwest the opportunity to remain on the technological forefront of neuroscience services and other surgical specialties.