Neurosurgery: Laser neurosurgery tool wins excellence award

Monteris Medical's (Plymouth, MI) NeuroBlate minimally invasive robotic laser neurosurgery tool took a gold medal in the Surgical Equipment, Instruments, and Supplies category of the 2015 Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA). Winners were announced June 9, 2015, in conjunction with the MD&M East Event.

With NeuroBlate, a surgeon makes a pencil-diameter hole in the skull, and inserts a laser probe to heat and destroy diseased tissue. The system combines magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and software-based visualization to allow remote ablation of both superficial and deeply embedded lesions, using a computer module. An MRI-compatible robotic probe driver helps precisely guide the probe to the site and apply laser energy in controlled amounts.