MRI Interventions ClearPoint® Neuro Navigation System Utilized for the First Time in Minnesota
University of Minnesota Health Offers Real-Time MRI Guided Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery
IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MRI Interventions, Inc. (OTCQB:MRIC), a commercial stage medical device company focused on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-Guided Neurosurgical procedures, announced today the first brain tumor surgery in Minnesota performed using the ClearPoint® Neuro Navigation System at University of Minnesota Medical Center.
MRI Interventions and UMN worked closely to install the ClearPoint System into Fairview in less than two weeks, as well as provide training and clinical support to make a minimally invasive approach available for a patient who had a recurrence of brain glioma. This minimally invasive procedure was the patient’s desired alternative to the traditional open surgical approach.
“When surgeries are performed in a conventional operating room, large skin incisions and removal of a significant portion of the skull are often required to prevent injury to the delicate anatomic structures that can otherwise not be visualized,” said Clark C. Chen, MD, PhD, Neurosurgeon and Lyle A. French Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota Medical School. “By performing the surgeries in the MRI suite, the surgeon can use the MRI to directly visualize the anatomy and perform the surgery through a small incision.”
The ClearPoint System is the only available navigation platform that allows the neurosurgeon to operate under continuous intra-procedural MRI guidance. The entire procedure takes place in an MRI suite and eliminates the need to move the patient to and from an operating room and an MRI scanner. The direct visualization of events as they occur during surgery allows the neurosurgeon to adjust trajectories in real-time, thereby improving the safety of the procedure.
Dr. Chen further stated, “The patient that we treated had previously undergone a conventional brain tumor resection surgery. It took him nearly a year to regain his ability to speak and resume his daily activities. When the tumor recurred, the patient was reticent to repeat this experience and refused conventional surgery. Fortunately, we were able to offer him a minimally invasive MRI-guided option with ClearPoint.”
Performing the procedure in an MRI suite, Dr. Chen used ClearPoint NeuroNavigation to precisely define and place a laser probe into multiple regions of the tumor. The tumor cells were destroyed by laser-generated heat. The thermal ablation was monitored in real time through the use of the MRI as to prevent injury to the normal, healthy tissue.
Dr. Chen commented, “By combining the ClearPoint and laser technology, I was able to safely treat a large tumor through an incision smaller than a pencil eraser.”
The patient fully recovered from the surgery and was discharged home the day after surgery.
“In stark contrast to the negative experience with his prior brain surgery, the patient was extremely pleased with the outcome of this surgery and expressed that he would have no reservations with future such surgeries should the need arise,” remarked Dr. Chen.
“We are excited to add University of Minnesota Health, a leader in minimally invasive neurosurgery, to our growing installed base of ClearPoint users,” commented Wendelin Maners, VP of Commercial Operations at MRI Interventions. “The transition to minimally invasive procedures in all other specialties in medicine has been done in concert with live-imaging that can guide these precise procedures. Our ClearPoint platform is designed specifically to enable a less invasive procedure for the patient and more efficient therapeutic workflow for the hospital.”
University of Minnesota Health
University of Minnesota Health represents a collaboration between University of Minnesota Physicians, Fairview Health Services and University of Minnesota Medical Center. Working together, we provide exceptional care in a wide range of specialties at our hospitals, clinics and in community-based facilities throughout the region.
University of Minnesota Health is an international leader in MRI-guided surgeries and was one of the first institutions in the U.S. to have an operative MRI suite.
Dr. Chen is a pioneer in minimally invasive endoscopic brain surgery, laser-based procedures, and gene therapy as treatment for malignant brain cancers such as glioblastoma.
Learn more at mhealth.org.
About MRI Interventions, Inc.
Building on the imaging power of magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”), MRI Interventions is creating innovative platforms for performing the next generation of minimally invasive surgical procedures in the brain. The ClearPoint Neuro Navigation System, which has received 510(k) clearance and is CE marked, utilizes a hospital’s existing diagnostic or intraoperative MRI suite to enable a range of minimally invasive procedures in the brain. For more information, please visit www.mriinterventions.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements herein concerning MRI Interventions, Inc. (the “Company”) plans, growth and strategies may include forward-looking statements within the context of the federal securities laws. Statements regarding the Company's future events, developments and future performance, as well as management's expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. Uncertainties and risks may cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements. Particular uncertainties and risks include those relating to: future revenues from sales of the Company’s ClearPoint Neuro Navigation System products; and the Company’s ability to market, commercialize and achieve broader market acceptance for the Company’s ClearPoint Neuro Navigation System products. More detailed information on these and additional factors that could affect the Company’s actual results are described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, both of which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Wendelin Maners
MRI Interventions, Inc.
949-900-6833
For Investors:
Matt Kreps, Darrow Associates Investor Relations
(214) 597-8200
mkreps@darrowir.com
Released January 3, 2018