New technology from LifeHealthcare accelerates patient recovery

MedTech News: As a spinal surgeon, A/Prof Yi Yang from Epworth Healthcare, treats a range of spinal conditions and injuries for adults and children including scoliosis, spinal deformity, degenerative spinal conditions and disc herniation.

LifeHealthcare’s BodyTom CT combines computer navigation and guidance technology to enable surgeries that were once deemed too difficult and dangerous to be safer and more efficient, reducing the risk of complications.

A/Prof Yi Yang said “The CT scanner allows us to take interoperative 3D imaging and get a real-time map of the patient’s spine. We then use navigation to guide our way through very intricate and delicate structures of the spine with millimetre accuracy.”

“It’s like having a second pair of eyes which help you to see structures which can’t normally be seen during difficult surgeries,” he added.

As the strength of spinal implants increases, and they are placed with improved accuracy thanks to the new technology, patients are able to get out of bed quicker after surgery and their recovery is accelerated.

“As a result, the average length of stay after major spinal surgery has been reduced.

“We’re building on our previous experiences and applying new technologies that allow us to treat the patient as safely as possible, helping them get back on their feet faster and back to their normal activities as quickly as possible.

“The advances I’ve witnessed in spinal surgery are ensuring the best outcomes for our patients, and these are the most important advances,” he said.