Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust purchased two Canon Infinix-i neuro-interventional Labs, a biplane system and a single plane system. The Trust’s existing systems were over ten years old and it was therefore looking to replace both its bi-plane system, which is almost exclusively utilised for complex neuro interventional cases and the single plane system that was used as a neuro back up and for other general interventional procedures. After a lengthy evaluation process Canon was chosen to supply the replacement equipment, with the Infinix-i biplane at Salford being the first in Europe of its generation to be placed in a neurovascular environment.
As part of a collaborative agreement, the hospital clinicians are working in partnership with an international team from Canon Medical Systems Europe, Japan and the UK, to test new applications and software, specific to the specialised work undertaken at Salford. This arrangement is proving beneficial to both the hospital’s neuro radiologists, as well as an invaluable opportunity for Canon to work closely with its customers to push product development to meet clinical needs.
With regard to the choice of Canon systems, Dee Patel, Superintendent Radiographer explains, “We looked at all available systems that met our specifications and requirements, and the first thing that impressed us about the Canon equipment was the versatility of the multi-axis positioning capability of the C-arm on the Infinix i system. We have found the unique lateral and vertical movements of the lateral arm on the biplane system to be extremely useful in neuro applications. In addition, our neuro-interventionalists were impressed with the tableside controls, which give them access to the whole imaging system without leaving the patient. ”
The Infinix-i system has what is regarded as one of the most flexible C-arm designs currently on the market, with even the floor-mounted single plane system being able to achieve fingertip to fingertip coverage of the whole patient without moving the table. This coupled with the unique lateral plane reversibility and height adjustment, means that every patient can be positioned to allow the clinician the best possible access and flexibility. At the same time, unencumbered access to the patient can be maintained for anaesthesia and other support staff, and also ensuring that staff and patients benefit from the dose reduction possible with better positioning.
Dee Patel continues, “Our radiographers are pleased with the user-friendly windows-based interface and find it easy to use. C-arm and tube positioning are easily controlled with the Hyper Handle tableside and the satellite console.”
The Infinix-i systems at Salford are equipped with Canon’s latest ‘Spot Fluoroscopy’ technology, physicians can use this asymmetrical off-centre collimation technique to the focus on the region of interest whilst maintaining a last image hold of the surrounding area. The use of Spot Fluoro significantly reduces the amount of radiation used, improves image quality and enables the user to focus on a specific area within the field-of-view without having to move the table. The reduction in patient and operator dose is a huge benefit, in addition there is a significant risk reduction in complex procedures from vascular trauma due to inadvertent movement of the devices and catheters in keeping the table still during the procedure. Both systems also utilise Canon Medical Systems’ unique real-time skin dose tracking system. DTS, Dose Tracking System, provides real-time feedback on patient skin dose distribution to the clinical team, allowing them to make informed clinical decisions that benefit the patient at the tableside. As this information can be stored with the patient images, it also allows the clinical team to plan the best approach for those patients that are undergoing multiple, long and very complex procedures, to minimise the risk of any possible side effects.
Commenting on DTS, Dee Patel adds, “The real-time graphic patient dose information is very useful during procedures as adjustments can be made in tube positioning during a procedure to minimise skin dose to any one area.”
The single plane system at Salford offers imaging facilities for a range of other interventional specialties including renal-vascular, urology, GI, spinal and MSK. It has all the technological, and design capabilities of the biplane system, which provides the added flexibility of being able to use it as a backup for neuro as and when demand dictates.
From the outset, Canon was very keen to assist the Trust in the design of the purpose-built interventional suites, the result being an excellent work space with good patient flow. Dee Patel says, “Technical support has been excellent and service responses very fast. From the start, Canon applications specialists were on site, or at the end of the phone, to help us to set up our systems just as we wanted them. Adjustments could be made mid-procedure to aid our interventionalists to the end point.”
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust is home to the Greater Manchester Neuroscience Centre, offering neurosurgery and interventional neuro radiology to a population of 3.5 million people. It performs around 250 interventional cases and 350 diagnostic cases on the biplane system, with a six-day service. It is also a comprehensive stroke centre for Greater Manchester, offering endovascular intervention to stroke patients. Salford Royal is also part of the Major Trauma Network, offering 24 hour emergency vascular intervention to patients from all over the Northwest.
Photo:
Shown here left to right, Marc Ivison, Senior Service Engineer XR, Canon Medical Systems; Dr. Hannah Stockley, Consultant Interventional Neuroradiologist; Dhiren Patel, Superintendent Radiographer; Graham King, Account Manager CT/MR/XR Canon Medical Systems; Rory Dedman, Senior Neuroradiographer and Matthew Solomon, Head of Technical Support Group, Canon Medical Systems
Canon Medical Systems has a carbon-zero project in place. We have calculated the carbon footprint for each of our products to include manufacturing, shipping, delivery and average hospital energy useful for the standard lifetime of the equipment as follows:
X-ray equates to 13 stoves and 50,781 litres of water