NASS News: Stryker Showcases SpineMask Tracker, SpineMap 3-D Software

Trade shows often serve a dual purpose: They can be quite effective launching pads for new products as well as practical platforms for exhibiting existing products.

Companies that attend these conference usually choose between the two (a rare few do both). Most of the companies exhibiting at the North American Spine Society’s 30th Annual Meeting this week in Chicago, Ill., chose the latter option.

Stryker, for instance, showcased a slew of products at its booth, including the recently released (late September) SpineMask Tracker and SpineMap 3-D software.

Stryker is marketing the SpineMask Tracker as the industry’s first non-invasive patient tracker that allows for minimally invasive (MIS) approaches for spine surgery without the need for an additional incision for navigation tracking. The orthopedic device behemoth is partnering its new technology with the SpineMap 3-D software.

In the past, spine navigation required an additional incision to affix a clamp to the patient’s boney anatomy for registration and navigation tracking. Surgeons had to choose between non-navigated surgery with small or fewer incisions, or navigated surgery, which required a larger or extra incision to accommodate the spine clamp. The SpineMask tracker technology allows surgeons the benefit of navigation without having to create a dedicated incision for navigation tracking.

Stryker Navigation’s new paper-thin SpineMask tracker leverages the proprietary tracking technology the company developed and honed for neurosurgical procedures. Equipped with 31 sensors, the SpineMask non-invasive tracker is a rectangular adhesive surgical tracker placed on the patient’s back that automatically registers and syncs with various imaging devices used in the operating room. Stryker’s proprietary tracking technology allows for Automatic Intraoperative Mask Registration, which utilizes a software algorithm to match the patient’s anatomy to the intra-operative image set in seconds. The SpineMask tracker uses Stryker’s active tracking technology to sense tracker movement during surgery and automatically compensates for any deformation to help maintain accuracy throughout the procedure.

“This system provides an intuitive solution designed to optimize the navigation experience for minimally invasive spine surgeries,” said Derek Babin, marketing director for Stryker Navigation. “Though we just fully launched SpineMask tracker early this year, we already have multiple facilities taking advantage of its accuracy and easy-to-use capabilities.”

The SpineMask tracker is used in conjunction with the SpineMap 3-D 3.0 software and Stryker’s NAV3i navigation platform to provide a total solution for spine navigation procedures. This solution leverages Stryker’s proprietary navigation camera, which the company claims provides industry-leading accuracy¹ for navigated procedures.  The navigation platform also has a flexible camera arm with a large range of motion, making it easy to accommodate different procedures and approaches. A 32-inch high-definition monitor delivers sharp visualization for the surgeon while the platform’s design makes it easy to position the monitor and camera for optimal space usage in the operating room, Stryker executives said.

The SpineMask non-invasive tracker and SpineMap 3D 3.0 Software are compatible with a variety of intra-operative imaging devices for automatic registration offering flexibility in incorporating the technology into the surgical workflow. Stryker’s Spine Navigation system optimizes the surgical experience through a comprehensive and personalized spine navigation solution tailored to the clinical needs.

Reference:
1. Elfring R, de la Fuente M, Radermacher K. Assessment of optical localizer accuracy for computer-aided surgery systems. Comput Aided Surg. 2010;15(1-3): 1-12.