DEVICE OVERVIEW
 


Rapid Growth in Medical Imaging

Growth in minimally invasive operations over the past fifteen years has caused a rapid proliferation of diagnostic imaging modalities reintroduced for use in the operating room.  Of these, the most common is fluoroscopy and the device of choice is the mobile c-arm. 


Problem in the Operating Room

The mobile c-arm is used during surgery to take x-rays in real time.  To obtain the target image, several scout shots need to be taken in advance, each one honed in to the target closer than the previous.  In more complicated procedures, such as those involving orthopedic trauma, the number of scout shots required before an optimal image is achieved can be unpredictable.
 

Each time an x-ray is taken during surgery, the patient and medical team are exposed to more radiation than necessary.  When an x-ray cannot be used, critical resources are wasted.   Losing time when it most valuable is nothing short of a hindrance in a hospital’s ability to maximize patient care quality in a limited time frame.
 



Navi C Solution

Navi C is an automated aiming and positioning system for mobile c-arm fluoroscopes.  Navi C allows a surgeon and x-ray technologist to obtain the correct mobile c-arm position for a target image on the first imaging attempt.  As a result, the need for a re-take is eliminated.
 

Not only does taking less x-rays save operating room time, but it also reduces patient and clinician exposure to radiation.  For a hospital, this means greater compliance with the ALARA principle in Section 10.2 of the US Federal Code of Regulations, which states that a clinic must use As Low Radiation As Reasonably Achievable.  With Navi C, reducing radiation output further than what is possible by current standards is now reasonably achievable.