Oman’s Armed Forces Hospital, also known as Hospital MoD, has become the first in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) to adopt the ClarifEye Augmented Reality (AR) Surgical Navigation by Royal Philips.

The “industry-first solution” – used in spinal surgery – combines imaging and navigation that uses AR into one system. Hospital MoD has already successfully completed surgery on patients using the technology, it confirmed.

“Philips’ new technology enables us to perform less invasive procedures and produce better outcomes for patients with spine conditions,” said Ahmed Al Jahwari, Head of Department for Orthopaedics and Spine Surgery at Hospital MoD. “Thanks to the high quality of the intraoperative cone beam CT [computed tomography] imaging and the positioning flexibility of the ClarifEye system, we can ensure that implants are in place which lowers postoperative CT scans to check implant placements.”

THE LARGER CONTEXT

Launched by Philips last February, ClarifEye works by combining 2D and 3D visualisations at low X-ray doses with 3D AR navigation into one system. This in turn reportedly enables surgeons to “define and navigate along the critical pathway using advanced real-time image guidance” for precise device placement in both open and minimally invasive spine operations.

A common procedure that can use this technology is spinal fusion – the permanent attachment of two or more vertebrae to improve stability, correct a deformity, or reduce pain – for example.

“AR surgical navigation helps us to place pedicle screws in positions where we actually could not or would not do otherwise,” said Adria Elmi-Terander – neurosurgeon at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden – at the time of ClarifEye’s launch in Europe.

Andreas Seekamp – Director of the Orthopaedic and Emergency Surgery clinic at the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein in Kiel, Germany – added: “Post-operative CT scans to check implant placements are no longer necessary. As soon as surgery has been performed, we can be 100% sure that the implants are in place, thanks to the high quality of the intraoperative cone beam CT image and positioning flexibility of the system.”

WHY IT MATTERS

Philip’s integrated 3D AR spine navigation solution can use either ClarifEye or Azurion Hybrid – a fully integrated image guided therapy system – both of which have been utilised by Hospital MoD. These latest procedures mark the first use of ClarifEye outside of Europe.

According to the company, advantages of the system include reduced postoperative pain, shortened hospital stays, reduced blood loss, and producing minimal scar tissue.

“We’re excited that international access to ClarifEye is expanding, and more hospitals and patients will get to experience its benefits firsthand,” said Karim Boussebaa, Business Leader of Image Guided Therapy Systems at Philips. “As the latest addition to [our] spine suite, ClarifEye adds a new dimension in surgical precision for patients.

“Through innovation we want to innovate procedures and help clinicians to deliver on the quadruple aim of better health outcomes, improve patient experience and staff satisfaction, and lower cost of care. ClarifEye is a great example.”

ON THE RECORD

Manoj Arora, Business Leader of Image Guided Therapy for Philips META, stated: “We are proud to collaborate with Armed Forces Hospital in bringing the breakthrough ClarifEye AR Surgical Navigation technology that we believe will transform the way spinal fusion procedures are performed in the region. 

“This is the first such installation in the whole of the META [Middle East, Turkey and Africa] region that will help improve patient care.”