Fused CT and Ultrasound Image Guides Surgical Procedures

A novel clinical device that attaches to any ultrasound probe provides real-time image fusion for interventional procedures without special needles or instruments.

The Scenergy Ultrasound-CT Fusion System is designed to help interventional radiologists and surgeons perform minimally-invasive biopsies and other diagnostic and therapeutic procedures by combining the clarity of CT with the real-time visualization of ultrasound. First, the ultrasound probe and the device’s optical head are intelligently integrated into a fused, live image via a fully automated visual registration process based on visual markers that align the ultrasound and computerized tomography (CT) images. Following this short registration process, effortless visual navigation can be displayed on the devices touchscreen controller.

Intuitive instrument navigation tracking overlays the path of standard instruments on-screen, allowing surgeons to lock in a target, then realign the probe from a different angle and find the target again. As an additional benefit, the system does not require special needles or new equipment, preserving the workflow and maximizing productivity of existing capital equipment. The Scenergy Ultrasound-CT Fusion System is a product of Clear Guide Medical (Baltimore, MD, USA), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“We have pioneered solutions like our real-time CT-ultrasound fusion technology to provide all users with better image clarity and real-time CT visualization,” said Dorothee Heisenberg, CEO of Clear Guide Medical. “Scenergy is evidence of our commitment to transforming healthcare through innovations that enable best-in-class minimally-invasive procedures at an affordable price.”

“The ability to see my target lesion clearly before, during, and after a procedure means procedures can be reliably performed in ultrasound with real-time imaging, freeing up the CT suite for diagnostic imaging and mitigating exposure to ionizing radiation for the patient and staff,” said Joseph Fonte, MD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston, MA, USA). “This is a game-changer.”

Fusion imaging is a technique that fuses two different imaging modalities. It has gained considerable attention since it can help conduct interventional procedures with high confidence and accuracy when targeting challenging lesions.

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Clear Guide Medical