Technology Is Revolutionising Spinal Surgical Navigation

By Indu Tyagi Ketan, 09 November, 2022

SeaSpine Holdings Corporation announced the commercial launch of its 7D FLASH Navigation System Percutaneous Spine Module in October 2022. The 7D FLASH Navigation System utilizes visible light to create a three-dimensional image for surgical navigation in seconds. This is anticipated to lead to shorter and more efficient spinal procedures. The release of the percutaneous module represents better functionality and a new application for the company’s 7D FLASH Navigation System. It also supports SeaSpine to penetrate the minimally invasive spine surgery market, estimated at approximately USD 4 billion worldwide.

In addition, it is the only marketed image-guidance system that utilizes machine-vision algorithms coupled with a novel and proprietary camera-based technology for eliminating the long-standing frustrations associated with legacy surgical navigation platforms. Dr. Beau Standish, President of Enabling Technologies at SeaSpine, stated, “This new application addresses a large and significant part of the spine navigation market and should help drive the adoption of our FLASH Navigation System among hospitals, surgeons, and ambulatory surgery centers.”

Another Company, ZimVie Inc., a global life science company is operating in dental and spine markets, launched a Virage Navigation system on 12th October 2022. The surgical navigation system is an Occipital-Cervico-Thoracic (OCT) spinal fixation system that features an innovative 360° Omnidirectional extreme angle screw. The new launch minimizes operating time and simplifies rod alignment, with screws supporting a 112° conical range of motion and facilitating optimal screw placement.

Rebecca Whitney, SVP, Global Spine President of ZimVie Inc., stated, “The Virage Navigation system is playing a significant role in ZimVie’s enabling technology strategy, rounding out the company’s ability to navigate pedicle screws in the entire spine. Also, the new launch will allow us to compete with the existing surgical navigation-compatible systems available in the market.”

The last few decades have seen a fast evolution in spine surgery, utilising the latest cutting-edge technical developments to achieve the ever-higher aim of safer surgery that is both more efficient and patient-friendly.

The neurosurgical toolbox today includes several advancements, including enhanced imaging using multiple MRI protocols to better understand anatomy and function, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, and microsurgical procedures with built-in sophisticated features like intra-operative angiography. As a result, these less invasive procedures are safe, and very successful, resulting in quicker recovery periods and better outcomes for both the patient and the surgeon.