RWJBarnabas Health announced on April 16 that Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, and Rutgers Cancer Institute are implementing a new extended reality (XR) platform to assist neuro- and spinal surgeons in surgical planning and patient education.
The adoption of this technology is significant as it brings immersive three-dimensional visualization into both the operating room and outpatient settings. The platform allows surgeons to preview patient anatomy, simulate surgical conditions, and determine optimal approaches for complex cranial, spinal, and epilepsy procedures.
“By overlaying this highly detailed, next-generation clinical technology into our existing way of preparing and performing surgery, RWJBarnabas Health is upleveling the exemplary care our surgical teams provide to the communities we serve,” said Robert E. Gross, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President of Neurosurgical Services at RWJBarnabas Health. “Just like no patient is alike, neither is any surgery. This technology equally benefits our surgeons as it does to put our patients at ease and answer any questions they may have about how they will be operated on.”
The XR platform uses artificial intelligence to enhance MRI and CT images for clinical decision support. Jonathan H. Sherman, MD said: “This technology can transform traditional 2D imaging into dynamic, interactive 3D models that our clinicians — as well as our patients — can examine from every angle.” He continued: “Patients can see exactly what we see…and better understand our surgical plan. In the operating room…this approach ultimately results in a clearer surgical strategy, shorter operating time, reduced complications, and quicker patient recovery.”
Currently available at RWJUH in New Brunswick with plans for rollout at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center later this year, this XR system joins other recent investments by RWJBarnabas Health aimed at improving neurological care.
RWJBarnabas Health describes itself as New Jersey’s largest academic health system with more than five million people cared for annually across 14 hospitals by over 9,000 affiliated physicians.
