Frequently Asked Questions What procedures are suitable for using PathFinder? My department already has a surgical navigation system for neurosurgery, why would I want PathFinder? I am very familiar with using my existing surgical planning system. Can I continue to use this with PathFinder? What method is used by PathFinder to co-register the patient to the medical image? How will PathFinder interface with our imaging system? Will PathFinder work with my existing stereotactic instruments, operating table, etc? We have a number of operating rooms used for neurosurgery. How easy is it to move PathFinder between them? How does PathFinder maintain sterility in the surgical field? What regulatory approvals apply to the PathFinder? What are the running costs of the product, are there consumables involved? What is the warranty duration on PathFinder? Does the system require regular maintenance?

What procedures are suitable for using PathFinder?
PathFinder is an image-guided neurosurgical localiser for use in stereotactic neurosurgical procedures. All operations where a frame is presently used are potentially suitable for PathFinder. Initial experience with PathFinder has focused on stereotactic biopsies, but the superior accuracy, repeatability and convenience of this system are expected to provide significant benefits in more complex procedures including functional neurosurgery

My department already has a surgical navigation system for neurosurgery, why would I want PathFinder?
Surgical navigation systems provide significant benefits to surgeons in their ability to plan procedures with great accuracy and identifying the positions of instruments during the procedure, without using a frame. However, most surgeons acknowledge that the accuracy provided by such systems is less than that achievable with a stereotactic frame. The precision when using such a system is still largely dependent on the hand-eye-coordination of the surgeon. PathFinder extends image-guided surgery to its next stage in evolution, by directly linking the medical image to PathFinder, the full resolution and accuracy of the medical image is available at the patient. So PathFinder provides the same accuracy and certainty as a frame, but with all the convenience and flexibility of frameless surgery.

I am very familiar with using my existing surgical planning system. Can I continue to use this with PathFinder?
The PathFinder system incorporates the PathPlan surgical planning application which will allow you to plan multiple intra-cranial targets and associated entry-points. Presently this application must be used to create the operative plan for use with PathFinder. As a future option it is hoped to include an interfacing capability to widely used 3rd party surgical planning systems.

What method is used by PathFinder to co-register the patient to the medical image?
PathFinder uses Prosurgics' patent method of Intelligent Registration. A small number of skin-markers are attached to the head prior to imaging and are automatically detected by the PathPlan software. The PathFinder robot has a permanently mounted camera in its wrist which then locates these same markers in 3-D space during the registration process at the start of the operation. Registration takes less than 2 minutes, and does not require any active involvement from the surgeon. It is this unique process that enables PathFinder to achieve excellent standards of accuracy.

How will PathFinder interface with our imaging system?
PathFinder accepts medical images (CT or MRI) in DICOM format, so can interface with the vast majority of current systems. Network your system, or import scans via CD or DVD, the choice is yours.

Will PathFinder work with my existing stereotactic instruments, operating table, etc?
PathFinder is a standalone system and has been designed to interface with current head-fixation systems and operating tables. The end-effector will hold standard stereotactic tools, e.g. a guide cannula, so investment in new instruments will not be required.

We have a number of operating rooms used for neurosurgery. How easy is it to move PathFinder between them?
Because the system is free-standing, one person can easily wheel it between operating rooms.

How does PathFinder maintain sterility in the surgical field?
The PathFinder end-effector is detachable and should be sterilised along with your other surgical instruments. The robot arm should be covered with the single-use drape supplied.

What regulatory approvals apply to the PathFinder?
The CE mark affixed to PathFinder indicates compliance with the Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC. FDA 510(k) clearance for the USA has been received. Please check with Prosurgics or your local distributor for the regulatory position in your country.

What are the running costs of the product, are there consumables involved?
The running costs of PathFinder are small. The only per-patient consumable items required are a set of single-use Fiducial Markers, and the drape for the arm. Please check with Prosurgics or your local distributor for current pricing.

What is the warranty duration on PathFinder?
PathFinder is supplied with a parts and labour warranty with a minimum of 12 months duration. Please check with Prosurgics or your local distributor for the terms of warranty applicable in your country. We recommend that you protect your investment by purchasing one of our Extended Warranty packages at time of purchasing your system.

Does the system require regular maintenance?
To ensure the safe and reliable operation of your PathFinder, your system should be inspected by an accredited Prosurgics Service Agent twice per year.

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frequently asked questions

frequently asked questions

frequently asked questions

frequently asked questions

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