American company, NICO Corp’s patented BrainPath technology is now being used in the UK, with King’s College Hospital in London being the country’s first medical centre to work with it.
BrainPath is a piece of technology that uses the natural folds of the brain to create a corridor to the tumour site. It is designed to be minimally invasive.
BrainPath allows for guided access into the brain from the sub-cortex (the area of the brain that lies underneath the outer surface), offering a much less invasive surgical option to patients and minimising tissue damage.
Additionally, this may also provide a treatment option for patients who have been told before that their tumour was inoperable.
Ranjeev Bhangoo, MD, neurosurgeon at King’s College Hospital said, “Having just acquired this technology at our institution, we can now offer a less invasive surgical option to patients and also provide options for many who might have been told before that their tumour was inoperable.
“This new way to do brain surgery has a growing body of peer-reviewed evidence of improved patient outcomes for both tumour removal and hemorrhagic stroke.”
“We’re very excited to be the first in the UK to offer this technology.”
Patients talk about their experience with BrainPath
Gaining the CE Mark (European Conformity) recognizes the technique for use in more than 30 countries in the European Union. NICO Corp state that more than 500 neurosurgeons, residents and fellows are trained on BrainPath and over 4,000 procedures have been completed.
Jim Pearson, President & CEO, NICO Corp said, “NICO is highly committed to the training aspect of the approach, so that surgeons are performing surgery in a standardized way using standardized technologies to achieve repeatable clinical results.
“We are very excited that the population around the UK will now be able to benefit from these technologies and new surgical approach that is better for the patient and the healthcare system.
“Anytime treating a brain tumor or hemorrhagic stroke is less traumatic for the patient and gives them a better opportunity for improved outcomes after surgery.
“This is a positive step forward in this area of medicine.”
Dr David Jenkinson, our Chief Scientific Officer said, “Patients who undergo brain tumour surgery routinely face a significant risk of long-term damage to their brain in return for a life-saving procedure.
“Any development which allows neurosurgeons to access and remove tumour tissue with less potential harm to the brain is a welcome step forward.
“We hope the pioneering use of this technology at King’s College Hospital will lead to its wider introduction around the UK, helping to reduce the harm caused by brain tumours and their treatment – one of the key goals we are working towards.”
The arrival of this new technology and integrated surgical approach at King’s College Hospital is exciting and presents many new options for patients with once inoperable brain tumours. It will take time to get other surgeons trained throughout the UK, but this is good news for the future of neurosurgery.
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