NYM Acquires a "BrainLab" Guidance System

Date: 11/27/2007

New York Methodist Hospital Acquires a "BrainLab" Guidance System

New York Methodist Hospital recently acquired a BrainLab system-a highly sophisticated navigation system that enables neurosurgeons to pinpoint the exact location on which they need to operate, thus allowing for heightened precision during spinal and cranial surgery.  "This highly-advanced computerized equipment represents the latest advancement in minimally invasive neurosurgery,  said Martin Zonenshayn, M.D., chief of neurosurgery at NYM.

This machinery is particularly helpful in operations such as brain tumor removal or correction of spinal fractures that require surgeons to operate on the brain or spine while minimizing any collateral damage to these important areas.  "New York Methodist has always had excellent neurosurgeons that uphold the highest level of surgical accuracy,  said Miran Salgado, M.D., chairman of the department of neurosciences.  "This new machine will provide an enhancement to the strong service that the Hospital currently provides."  Anthony Tortolani, M.D., chairman of the department of surgery, agrees that the machine will prove to be extremely beneficial to the Hospital.   "This system will greatly aid the Hospital in its diagnosis and treatment of complex neurological disorders,  said Dr. Tortolani.

An MRI or CT scan that is taken prior to the actual operation is electronically transmitted to the system.  For cranial surgery, the system uses the contour of the patient''s face traced by a laser beam data to align the patient''s head to the MRI and CT scan. A pair of infrared cameras detects the placement of standard surgical instruments with respect to the patient''s head. The system then displays the location of these instruments on the preoperative CT or MRI scan in real-time.  The overall effect of this complex series of events is to markedly enhance the safety and effectiveness of the surgical procedure.

The BrainLab system was purchased with funding from a Community Capital Assistance Program Grant from the State of New York that was designated for this purpose by the Hospital's Assembly Member, James Brennan.

For more information about neural or spinal surgery at New York Methodist Hospital or the department of neurosciences, please call 1 866 DO-NEURO.

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New York Methodist Hospital, a voluntary, acute-care teaching facility located in Brooklyn''s Park Slope, houses 618 inpatient beds (including bassinets) and provides services to over 32, 00 inpatients each year.  An additional 350, 00 outpatient visits and services are logged annually.  The Hospital offers Institutes in the following areas: Asthma and Lung Disease; Cancer Care; Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery; Digestive and Liver Disorders; Diabetes and Other Endocrine Disorders; Vascular Medicine and Surgery; Family Care; Neurosciences; and Orthopedic Medicine and Surgery. The Hospital, founded in 1881, has undergone extensive renovation and modernization over the years.  New York Methodist is affiliated with the Weill College of Medicine at Cornell University and it is a member of NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System.