Brainlab's Mixed Reality Viewer in use at a hospital, with two individuals viewing a cranial image

Mixed Reality Viewer for Functional NeurosurgeryVisualize
Functional Clinical
Plans in 3D

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Bring 3D perspectives into functional neurosurgery case review. The Mixed Reality Viewer¹ is a technology that produces hyper-realistic 3D patient data. In the context of the Brainlab Functional Neurosurgery portfolio, the Mixed Reality Viewer combined with the Magic Leap 2 provides a 3D visualization of functional clinical plans that include patient-specific anatomical objects, 3D electrode geometry models and white matter tractography.

Accurate 3D visualizationfor detailed planning review

The Mixed Reality Viewer is designed to clearly display detailed patient anatomy in 3D. For complex functional neurosurgery procedures like epilepsy treatment as well as deep brain stimulation implantation, this enables medical professionals to easily collaborate, formulate and discuss plans as well as evaluate critical structures before and after surgery.

Accessible & immersive learning opportunitiesfor medical students

With the Mixed Reality Viewer, medical students and residents have access to a tool that allows them to apply their theoretical knowledge in an immersive 3D environment to better understand patient pathologies. For functional neurosurgery, trainee surgeons can further explore complex topics including the interaction between basal ganglia structures.

Informativepatient consultation

Medical professionals can utilize the Mixed Reality Viewer while informing patients that will undergo a functional neurosurgical procedure. The detailed 3D visualization empowers patients to gain a deeper understanding of the procedure.

Mixed Reality Viewer is a fantastic experience. I always dreamt about a “holographic” three-dimensional display of the basal ganglia. No doubt this will offer completely new perspectives for education and training!

Joachim K. Krauss, M.D., Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany

Mixed reality facilitates the discussion of complex three-dimensional structures in a team. In planning a stereo-EEG, we have to discuss a complex scheme interdisciplinarily with epileptologists, which becomes more vivid in mixed reality. Another interesting application is teaching, where I see particular potential in neuroanatomy. As a vision for the future, mixed reality could support procedures that have been carried out freehand so far, such as puncture of the ganglion gasseri in trigeminal neuralgia, spinal transcutaneous procedures or the placement of intracranial drains in bleedings or the ventricles.

Peter Reinacher, Neurosurgical Consultant of the Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany

Joachim K. Krauss, M.D., Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany

Peter Reinacher, Neurosurgical Consultant of the Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany

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See how the Mixed Reality Viewer can expand your practice.

Functional Neurosurgery features in mixed reality

The formulation of plans for invasive diagnostics and treatments, like planning electrodes, has become a multi-disciplinary collaboration. While surgical plans can be prepared with specific Elements applications, mixed reality is an approach that offers an advanced way of viewing the number of electrodes placed and, importantly, understanding the best coverage for the cortex and deeper structures.

Mixed reality for epilepsy sEEG planning review

Rotate the patient scans to analyze the cortex for collisions of electrodes.
Visualize the degree of cortex coverage and major investigative areas (e.g., hippocampus, amygdala).
Overlay and scroll through 2D data using a trajectory view to minimize vessel collision. Repeat for all potential electrodes.
Position the patient in a lateral manner to review a single hemisphere.

Illustration of mixed reality used for reviewing sEEG planning in epilepsy cases

Mixed reality for epilepsy sEEG analysis – resection planning review

Scroll through the relationship of contact location and anatomy during sEEG analysis.
Utilize the 3D cortex view to hypothesize potential resection.
Visualize DTI tractography to better understand the relationship between patient anatomy and resection areas.
Benefit from having a 3D model and data enrichment on a navigation system intraoperatively.

Showcasing the Mixed Reality Viewer for Stereoelectroencephalography

Mixed reality for deep brain stimulation

Deep brain stimulation requires the careful planning of implanted leads and the optimization of stimulation parameters. When formulating patient-specific stimulation plans, programming clinicians carefully consider the position of the implanted electrode in the context of the patient’s anatomy in 3D.

Mixed reality offers a new way to understand and visualize the stimulation field model (SFM) in relation to patient anatomy.

Showcasing the Mixed Reality Viewer in Functional Neurosurgery

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Move patient data from the screen to reality

With a single click and a glance, your room is digitized for spatial computing. Images are transferred from the Elements Viewer software on screen into the room in front of you with the help of the Magic Leap spatial computing platform.