Overview

Harnessing the power of Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT), the Visualase™ system makes better patient outcomes possible. With proven accuracy and significantly faster recovery times,1-3 Visualase™ is the minimally-invasive, life-changing surgical option that is able to cure, not just treat patients with epilepsy, and brain tumours.

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Better for patients

Laser ablation with the Visualase™ system brings advanced, targeted therapy, and faster recovery1-3 within reach for epilepsy, and brain tumour patients.

Accurately predict outcomes, visualise surgery in real-time, and see patients discharged in as little as a day after treatment.1,4-11 The Visualase™ system allows surgeons to precisely ablate soft tissue targets in neurosurgery, including tumours or epileptic foci. Using an MRI guided laser, the surgeon can plan a trajectory, visualise surgery in real-time, and ablate specified areas of soft tissue in the brain with unmatched precision and accuracy.

Reach more patients. Between 11% and 41% of patients with epilepsy are drug resistant.12-17 In these cases, the Visualase™ system can pave the way to recovery, with a new possibility for treatment.

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The Visualase™ system can be life-changing for brain tumour and medically-refractory focal epilepsy patients. By removing epileptic foci or brain tumours entirely, the Visualase™ system has the potential to cure patients of their symptoms in a minimally-invasive procedure. It typically requires one suture,18,19 and patients are often able to leave the hospital the day after surgery.1,4-11

Patients who are ineligible for other therapy options due to adverse side effects may benefit from potentially life-changing surgical intervention using the Visualase™ system.

Ideal for deep-seated and hard-to-reach brain lesions, the Visualase™ system changes what is possible for brain tumour and radiation necrosis treatment. The prospects of recovery from brain tumours are low – but maximal resection improves a patient’s chances of survival.20-23 With the Visualase™ system, tumour resection can be performed with unmatched precision.

Faster recovery made possible

Minimally-invasive. The Visualase™ system is minimally-invasive, with higher patient satisfaction1 and significantly faster recovery1-3 – so your patients can get back to getting better.

The Visualase™ system utilises the smallest laser catheter on the market – 1.65 mm in diameter24-27 – to ablate target tissue in the brain, meaning only a small incision is needed. It does not require ionising radiation or a large skull flap, and it is associated with lower rates of infection.28,29 Patients require little to no hair shaving, and there is typically less scarring compared to open procedures.

Get back to getting better. Operating with the Visualase™ system can mean that patients will be ready to go home the following day.1,4-11 Because less time in the hospital is more time for living.

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Better workflow

The Visualase™ system is designed to create a better surgery experience for both patients and doctors, with improved outcomes for patient recovery.

A workflow that works with your hospital

The Visualase™ system supports a workflow that addresses the unique challenges of performing a procedure within the MRI bore.

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Plan

The surgeon plans the approach using stereotactic planning software, taking into account ablation coverage and catheter placement trajectory.

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Laser Placement

A small, flexible laser catheter is inserted in the target area. The Visualase™ system is compatible with many common stereotactic platforms so the surgeon and staff can stick to a workflow that is most familiar to them.

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Transport to MRI

The patient is transported to the MRI in radiology, or an intraoperative MRI is brought to the patient.

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MRI-guided laser ablation

A pre-ablation scan is obtained. The surgeon then selects the preferred thermal imaging planes, identifies temperature checkpoints, and starts the ablation. As tissue heats up, the system displays the thermal damage progress.

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Close

The laser applicator is removed and the small incision is typically closed with just one suture required.18,19 The patient is then moved to recovery and in many cases goes home the next day.1,4-11

Video: Visualase™ and Stealth Autoguide™ workflow animation - (03:39)

Video showing full Visualase™ procedural workflow using Stealth Autoguide™ robotic system as the stereotactic method for catheter placement.
More information (see more) Less information (see less)

Accuracy

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Set temperature limits

The Visualase™ system works seamlessly with an MRI scanner, allowing surgeons to make a pre-ablation scan, select preferred thermal imaging planes, and identify temperature checkpoints before the procedure. The workstation allows the operator to control the laser output in real-time, and to determine and visualise relative changes in tissue temperature during the procedure.

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Nothing out of sight, so you're in control

With two monitors to clearly visualise all aspects of the procedure from beginning to end, nothing is out of sight. The Visualase™ system offers precise ablation control using best-inclass thermal image resolution, and automatic laser shut off near critical structures.

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Visualise outcomes

The only LITT thermal damage model to have proven accuracy compared to histology30 means the Visualase™ system can help surgeons accurately predict the outcomes of an ablation.

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Never-before-seen surgical precision

With a 5-7 second refresh rate, surgeons can accurately visualise the effects on the target tissue in real-time. The Visualase™ system is the only LITT system to offer a voxel size of 1x1x3mm, which allows surgeons to monitor the ablation with unmatched precision and speed.

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Brain Tumour

Read about treatment options for different tumour types, expected results, and how the Visualase™ system may be able to reduce risks and complications associated with surgical resection of brain tumours.

Learn more
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Epilepsy

Discover the new possibilities and advantages of using the Visualase™ laser ablation system to treat epilepsy.

Learn more

Understand the indications

The Visualase™ system makes more complicated surgeries possible. Find out whether the Visualase™ system could be a potential treatment option for your patient.

View indications

MRI connectivity

 

Could your patient be eligible for potentially life-changing surgery using the Visualase™ system

 

MRI resources

Medical education for the Visualase™ system

Access on-demand procedural videos, webinars, and more at Medtronic Academy.

Visit Medtronic Academy

Better support

We can help you find a treatment option that is right for your patient. Our team is here to support you with the information you need to make the most informed decisions for your patient’s care.

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Brief statement:
See the device manual for detailed information regarding the instructions for use, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and potential adverse events. For further information, contact your local Medtronic representative and/or consult the Medtronic website at www.medtronic.eu.
  1. Kang et al, 2016, Epilepsia, 57(2):325-334. doi:10.1111/epi.13284
  2. Waseem et al, 2015, Epilepsy & Behavior, 51:152-157. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.07.022
  3. Leuthardt et al, 2017, PharmacoEconomics Open. 1(1):53-63. doi:10.1007/s41669-016-0003-2
  4. Jethwa et al, 2012, Operative Neurosurgery, 71:ons133-ons145. doi:10.1227/NEU.0b013e31826101d4
  5. Lewis et al, 2015, Epilepsia, 56(10):1590- 1598. doi:10.1111/epi.13106
  6. Patel, 2016, JNS, 125(4):853-860. doi:10.3171/2015.7. JNS15244
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  8. Petito et al, 2018, Epilepsy & Behavior, 78:37-44. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.10.041
  9. Lagman et al, 2017, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. 36:20-26. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2016.10.019
  10. Hernandez et al, 2019, Neurosurg. 85(1):84-90. doi:10.1093/neuros/nyy220
  11.  Youngerman et al, 2018, Epilepsia, 59(3):595-606. doi:10.1111/epi.14004
  12. Kwan et al, 2000, N Eng l J Med, 342(5):314-319
  13. Hui et al, 2007, Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, 109(8):672-675
  14. Picot et al, 2008, Epilepsia, 49(7):1230-1238
  15. Mohanraj et al, 2006, EurJNeurol, 13(3):277-282
  16. Giussani et al, 2016, Epilepsy Behav, 55:30-37
  17. Chen et al, 2013, Journal of Medical Economics, 16(2):240-248
  18. Jethwa et al, 2011, PED, 8(5):468-475. doi:10.3171/2011.8.PEDS11148
  19. Torres-Reveron et al, 2013, J Neurooncol., 113(3):495-503. doi:10.1007/s11060-013-1142-2
  20. Sanai et al, 2011, J Neurosurg, 115: 3–8
  21. Sanai et al, 2008, Neurosurgery, 62(4):753-64
  22. Sanai et al, 2009, Neurotherapeutics, 6(3):478-86
  23. Capelle et al, 2013, J Neurosurg. 118(6):1157–68
  24. Yuen J et al, 2014, Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 92(3):160-169. doi:10.1159/000360862.
  25. Hawasli et al, 2012, Operative Neurosurgery, 70:onsE332-onsE338. doi:10.1227/NEU.0b013e318232fc90.
  26. Mohammadi et al, 2014, Expert Review of Medical Devices, 11(2):109-119. doi:10.1586/17434440.2014.882225.
  27. Monteris Medical, 2023, https://www.prnewswire.com/news releases/monteris-medical-announces-launch-of-fda-cleared-neuroblate-sidefire-select-and fullfire-select-reduceddiameter-laser-mini-probes-for-minimally-invasive-robotic-laser thermotherapy-300075653.html. Accessed May 31, 2023.