iMRI Smart OR™
Watch a video of our Smart OR™ Suite here.
Neurosurgery, spine and trauma patients at Sacred Heart Hospital are benefitting from some of the most advanced surgical technologies available anywhere in the world – right here in Eau Claire. Sacred Heart Hospital is the first in Wisconsin and the first hospital ever of its size to have both a BrainSUITE® with IMRIS intra-operative MRI (iMRI), and BrainSUITE intra-operative CT (iCT) smart operating suites for neurosurgery, spine and trauma patients.
Sacred Heart Hospital is one of only a handful of hospitals in the U.S. to offer BrainSUITE® and IMRIS iMRI technology. Sacred Heart Hospital is also the first hospital in the country to offer BrainSUITE and IMRIS iMRI and iCT technology for both surgery and diagnostics.
The iMRI surgical suite includes a 1.5 Tesla high-field moveable MRI scanner from IMRIS that uses a unique ceiling-mounted track to move the MRI to the patient rather than the patient being moved to the magnet. This keeps the patient still and lessens the risk of complications that can occur when moving patients who are in critical condition. This amazing technology will be fully integrated with the BrainLAB® surgical mapping system.
Click here to read coverage on the new Smart OR™ Surgical System at Sacred Heart Hospital, which appeared in Leader-Telegram.
Click here to see the Smart OR™.
Click here to watch a video and hear our neurosurgeons explain how the Smart Operating Suite improves patient outcomes and patient safety at the Brain & Spine Institute at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Click here to read about our Smart OR iMRI and iCT systems, as featured in The Advisory Board Company's Horizon Scan Monthly publication. (Sacred Heart Hospital mentioned beginning on page 3).
The standard method used for determining whether a brain or spinal surgery is successful is for the patient to undergo an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computed tomography) scan before and after surgery. These imaging techniques enable the surgeon to precisely locate the area targeted for surgery. With the new iMRI Smart Operating Suites, Sacred Heart Hospital neurosurgeons will access real-time images of their progress during complex brain tumor surgeries to determine if a patient's tumor is fully removed before concluding surgery. This technology will give neurosurgeons even greater precision and accuracy. The life-saving equipment will be integrated with the hospital’s existing BrainLAB® surgical mapping system.
For brain tumors that are aggressive and located near critical structures in the brain, patient recovery and surgery effectiveness depends on how much of the cancerous tissue can be safely removed.
For members of the Media: Access our Smart OR Electronic Media Kit here.
What does iMRI treat?
iMRI can be used for primary brain tumors as well as pituitary and skull base tumors.
How does the iMRI make surgery more effective?
Data access and retrieval is made easier through integration of all components, and the availability of real-time images and data for each patient makes surgery more precise, leading to better outcomes.
What is the difference between MRI and iMRI?
The ‘i’ in iMRI stands for intra-operative, and means that the MRI scanner is located within the operating room and used for imaging before, during and after surgery.
Is iMRI safe?
iMRI is a safe and reliable procedure, and magnetic fields have not been shown to cause adverse health effects.
How does iMRI benefit the patient?
iMRI means improved patient care. Neurosurgeons can get direct feedback on the progress of their surgery. This enables them to avoid critical areas and allows for thorough tumor resection.
The patient also benefits due to:
- A less invasive surgical procedure
- Reduced trauma, which leads to faster recovery times and shorter hospital stays
- Reduced risk of complications, especially additional surgeries