Case stories

Pioneers of stereotactic neurosurgery perform DBS implantation procedures with neuromate® robot

Professor Bertrand Devaux, consultant neurosurgeon at Sainte-Anne Hospital, favourably compares the neuromate® robotic method with manual stereotactic surgery, "The robot is used every day for procedures such as DBS, biopsies and stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG); we would not consider doing these manually, without neuromate. In my opinion it is the easiest, fastest and most precise way to perform stereotactic procedures. It is an essential part of any fully integrated neurosurgical operating theatre of the future."

“neuroinspire™ surgical planning software increases safety of paediatric brain stem glioma biopsies”

Professor Gill believes the Renishaw neuroinspire™ software has been key to successfully performing stereotactic brain stem glioma biopsy via a transpeduncular route.

Paediatric brain stem glioma is typically diagnosed with clinical findings and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans rather than biopsy specimens, because of the difficulties of taking samples from the brain stem region; however the lack of a histological diagnosis can make treatment difficult.  The new Renishaw neuroinspire™ surgical planning software works round some of these problems by providing clinicians with highly detailed and accurate visualisation of patient brain structure and anatomy.  This enables reliable planning of a choice of routes to biopsy targets that avoid blood vessels, ventricles and vital areas of the cortex.

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neuroguide™ tubes improve the accuracy and safety of DBS surgery

Professor Steven Gill at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, has worked closely with Renishaw to develop implantable guide tubes for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery under an exclusively MRI-directed method, that provides an alternative to electrophysiological monitoring.

Professor Gill explains, “In my view the greatest value of the neuroguide™ system is perioperative confirmation of accurate targeting, since minor displacement of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) leads from the target position can result in significant side effects.  Therefore confidence in positioning is essential.  The use of the Renishaw neuroguide electrode introducer kit enables us to carry out functional neurosurgery entirely under general anaesthesia, with an operational accuracy within a millimetre of a Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) selected target.”

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