Grady Health System Performs Georgia’s First Brain Surgery With Synaptive Medical’s Brightmatter Technology

ATLANTA, Georgia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Synaptive Medical, a medical device company relentlessly pursuing connections to transform the process of care, today announced the first brain surgery in Georgia at Grady Health System using their BrightMatter™ technology.

“Synaptive Medical’s culture is deeply rooted in connecting with neurosurgeons to better understand their challenges in the operating room across the process of care”

Dr. Gustavo Pradilla, Chief of Neurosurgery for Grady and Associate Professor at Emory University School of Medicine performed two brain surgeries with Synaptive’s technology. The first was an aneurysm clipping, where BrightMatter provided visualization of critical anatomy during the procedure. The second was a glioblastoma that was removed while navigating patient-specific tractography. BrightMatter provides physicians like Dr. Pradilla with the latest integrated advancements in surgical visualization for planning complex brain surgery, including navigation and optics integration.

“BrightMatter provided an incomparable view of the surgical field for both our vascular and tumor cases. This innovative technology will be an important tool in taking Grady’s neurosurgical care to an even higher level,” said Pradilla.

As part of their pre-surgical planning, Dr. Pradilla and his surgical team used BrightMatter Plan to visualize the patient’s white matter brain tracts and map an optimal approach. The software uses an imaging method called diffusion tensor imaging, or DTI, to visualize the entire brain’s pathways, allowing physicians to consider approaches for navigating around critical structures in neurological surgery.

In the operating room, Synaptive’s integrated imaging and navigation systems allow physicians to see details that can’t be seen with the naked eye or a standard MRI, and may allow access to brain locations previously deemed inoperable. The automatic positioning system with an attached camera follows the physician’s tools, showing an image of the patient’s anatomy with unprecedented detail. This robotic arm includes a hands-free optical visualization system that allows for better surgical ergonomics, facilitates collaboration with operating room staff, and consumes less surgical time by avoiding the need to manipulate cumbersome optics.

Grady, one of the busiest Level I trauma centers in the country, was the first hospital in Georgia to acquire Synaptive’s BrightMatter technology in July 2016. Internationally recognized for their neurosurgical care in brain tumors and stroke, the hospital is focused on bringing innovative technology that enhances patient care and supports the needs of physicians to provide optimal outcomes.

“Synaptive Medical’s culture is deeply rooted in connecting with neurosurgeons to better understand their challenges in the operating room across the process of care,” said President Cameron Piron. “We have a history of collaboration with Dr. Gustavo Pradilla and are pleased to support him and his team in this important milestone. Understanding how BrightMatter is used in the operating rooms fuels our product development work and helps us to design better integrated solutions. Together, we want to solve the pervasive technical, clinical and research challenges in neurosurgical imaging and create wider options and better outcomes for patients.”

About Grady Health System | Grady Health System is one of the largest safety net health systems in the United States. Grady consists of the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, six neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children’s affiliate. With its nationally acclaimed emergency medical services, Grady has the premier level I trauma center in the Metro Atlanta region and serves as the 911 ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta. Grady’s American Burn Association/American College of Surgeons verified Burn Center is one of only two in the state. And the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center is a Joint Commission designated Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center. Other key services include Grady’s Regional Perinatal Center with its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Georgia’s first Cancer Center for Excellence, The Avon Breast Health Center, the Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, and the Ponce de Leon Center — one of the top three HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the country.

About Synaptive Medical | Synaptive Medical Inc., a Toronto-based medical device company, has a talented team of scientists, engineers, and locally-based customer care specialists specifically committed to developing and supporting surgical technologies and therapies. Their BrightMatter™ solutions provide advanced tools and information to allow surgeons to focus on patient outcomes. From advanced visualization and guidance to their first hands-free surgical scope, Synaptive medical is collaborating with surgeons, hospitals and industry partners to evolve the standard of care for surgical intervention.