Image-Guided Neurology Suite Reveals Brain’s Intricate Vascular Network

This interventional X-ray technology provides more effective device guidance and positioning in every neuroradiology procedure.

The first NeuroSuite system was recently installed at Karolinska University Hospital (Stockholm, Sweden). This hospital is one of the world’s leading medical universities and a center of excellence for stroke treatment.

Neuroradiology is a field of radiology that involves the detection and minimally invasive treatment of the brain, head, neck, and spine. These treatments entail the insertion of a catheter, which must be steered through a very narrow (with vessels less than 2 mm wide) and tortuous vasculature to the treatment site with the help of live image guidance. New devices (e.g., stents and flow diverters) offer new treatments for a large neck aneurism or ischemic stroke; however, their increasingly smaller designs make the devices more difficult to see with X-ray imaging. This can present further challenges for positioning and treatment assessment.

To tackle with these challenges, the NeuroSuite consists of a bi-plane interventional X-ray system with a unique combination of two new detectors: Philips’ frontal FD20 detector provides live two-dimensional (2D0 and 3D imaging to provide live navigation and instant therapy feedback. The smaller, lateral FD15 detector can be positioned beyond the shoulders and very close to the head. This shorter distance and a novel combination of detectors provides sharp, full brain imaging at lower X-ray dose and 3D imaging optimized for neuro- and spine interventions.

“In image-guided interventions the ultimate goal is to see clearly and navigate effectively, while managing X-ray dose for patients, staff, and clinicians,” commented Ronald Tabaksblat, general manager, interventional X-ray at Philips Healthcare. “Developed in collaboration with clinical partners around the world, Philips NeuroSuite has been designed for that purpose and underpins Philips’ global leadership position in live-image guidance technologies.”

“In interventional neuroradiology the performance of the angiographic system is crucial to patient safety,” said Dr. Michael Söderman, associate professor and chief of neuroangiography and stereotaxy, department of neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital (Sweden). “Philips’ latest innovation is NeuroSuite with a new 20-inch detector on the frontal plane, providing superb 3D-images and big enough for spine imaging. The new 15-inch detector on the lateral plane brings visualization of the complete cerebral vasculature, with reduced collision risks and enhanced projection freedom.”

At the center of NeuroSuite is Philips AlluraClarity, lowering radiation dose by as much as 73% without compromising image quality, and the VasoCT feature that visualizes intracranial devices in vessel context and vessel morphology down to perforator vessels.

“Over the last years a lot of progress was made on high-resolution device visualization,” said Prof. Jacques Moret, from the faculty of medicine Bichat-Beaujon at the University of Paris, France. “The next step in our collaboration with Philips is the NeuroSuite bringing enhanced vessel and device visualization and full head coverage. The new detector combination could be especially useful for stroke treatment.”

Philips NeuroSuite will be officially launched at the Live Interventional Neuroradiology & Neurosurgery Course (LINNC) in Paris, France, from June 23–25, 2014. The NeuroSuite is currently not available in the United States.

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