Banner Thunderbird Medical Center has become the first hospital in the West to use an innovative robotic exoscope for brain tumor neurosurgery.
A neurosurgery team at the hospital has now performed craniotomy procedures to resect brain tumors while using the device, which uses precision robotics and new software to provide a 3D digital visual.
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The Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope enables surgeons to operate in a more ergonomic heads-up position and improves the surgical experience, especially during long, complicated procedures. Instead of being tethered to a traditional microscope in often uncomfortable positions, surgeons can look ahead at a screen with a high-definition 3D image, which can also be viewed in real time by the entire operating room team. When using the exoscope, surgeons can opt to use a handgrip or wireless foot switch to control precise movements, waypoints, and lock-on targets to accurately view the patient’s anatomy during a procedure.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled with this new technology to advance brain tumor microneurosurgery,” said Dilan Ellegala, MD, a professor of neurosurgery with Banner University Neurosurgery at Banner Thunderbird. “Not only does the exoscope allow for a more comfortable operating experience, it also enables better communication and workflow between our team members in the operating room, which are key factors to any successful procedure. It’s also a foundational platform on which we can begin to apply emerging technology in brain tumor surgery to improve outcomes for our patients – this is part of the future of better brain tumor surgery”
Flawed ergonomics often take a toll on the health and performance of surgeons, and neurosurgeons have the highest ergonomic risk factors compared to other clinical specialities. According to studies, 54% of neurosurgeons have experienced significant cervical and/or lumbar discomfort while operating, 40% have reported neck pain, and 27% have reported shoulder pain. With the new microscope, the surgeon can dictate ergonomics to enable a a more comfortable experience and minimize fatigue.
The implementation of the microscope is yet another way Banner Health is demonstrating its dedication to embracing the latest and best innovative technology and finding more solutions to improve physician wellness.
As one of the nation’s largest fully integrated nonprofit health systems, we are pioneering a sustainable care model that prioritizes prevention, manages chronic disease, and reduces health spending – succeeding when patients stay healthy, not when they get sick. We operate 33 hospitals and more than 400 sites across six states, delivering seamless care from primary to quaternary medicine, including health insurance, physician networks, world-renowned specialty services, and behavioral health. Accountable to the communities we serve, we reinvest every dollar into advancing care, research, and facilities, providing more than $1 billion each year in community benefit. Through our partnership with the University of Arizona, we drive clinical discoveries across more than 800 trials and train more than 1,300 residents and fellows annually. Headquartered in Arizona, we serve Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming. Our hospitals are consistently ranked among Arizona’s top-performing by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/about.
