In this interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, James Keck explains how Fiagon's electromagnetic systems work, in which fields they are mainly used and what plans the company has for the future.
What can surgical navigation systems generally contribute to surgical interventions?
James Keck: In a word: safety. We at Fiagon believe surgical navigation systems, or IGS, are best pictured as the surgeon's co-pilot. IGS provide assistance, support, and reassurance to achieve the operating team goal: safer surgical interventions.
How do Fiagon's electromagnetic navigation systems work?
Keck: Fiagon's instruments excel through our proprietary micro-sensors and software filtering, which together provide a superior navigation experience. Fiagon navigation, like other IGS companies, can be functionally compared to the GPS navigation in your car. By combining a CT scan, which works like a map, a signal emitted by an electromagnetic sensor, and a location identifier – which is a sensor in our instruments- we are able to navigate the anatomy.
What are the advantages compared to systems based on other methods?
Keck: Fiagon offers some advantages over optical systems. We track our instruments for example at the distal tip. It also offers advantages over other electromagnetic navigation systems, as we manufacture smaller sensors. Fiagon's micro-sensors are the smallest on the market and boast a greater range of DoF's - degrees of freedom. The resulting advantage is a pin-point accuracy. The additional DoF allows Fiagon to consistently track instrument orientation as well as position.