Joimax is showcasing its integrated navigation tracking and control system, Intracs, at this year’s Global Spine Congress (GSC; 15–18 May, Toronto, Canada). The company is also promoting the system at the annual meeting of the German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC; 11–14 May, Wurzburg, Germany).
According to a press release, the Intracs electromagnetic navigation system is “simple to set up, very user-friendly, and seamlessly integrates into the joimax endoscopic tower”. In addition, “it allows for navigation during any endoscopic procedure performed with the joimax endoscopic surgical systems, TESSYS (transforaminal) and iLESSYS (interlaminar). Beyond that, it can serve as a stand-alone device.”
The system relies on electromagnetic tracking, affording simultaneous navigation of multiple instruments such as needles, guiding rods, reamers and endoscopes. It was developed by joimax for easy planning of endoscopic approaches to the spine, as well as other minimally invasive procedures, like percutaneous fusions.
Various Intracs sensors guarantee the highest accuracy. Plus, the procedure can be carried out without further X-ray control—only starting X-rays are required. As a result, access, intervention time, and radiation exposure, are reduced to a minimum.
The system is CE marked. Currently, clinical trials and applications are running in Europe and Asia, where the product has already launched. In specific Asian countries, like Taiwan, the first systems have been sold and shipped.
According to the release, “Users are very impressed with the usability of the system.” For example, Michael Kraus, spine specialist in Augsburg, Germany, comments: “I didn’t expect that navigation for both transforaminal and interlaminar procedures can be made so easy and that the set-up time can be so much streamlined.” Erik Traupe, spine specialist in Munich, Germany, continues: “For the thoracic approach, it is so precise and a tremendous help.”
“We are committed to overcoming any obstacles and concerns related to minimally invasive, endoscopic spine surgery,” states joimax CEO and founder Wolfgang Ries. “Our success lies with our innovative, user-friendly devices and instruments, and our ability to provide both doctor and patient with outstanding safety built into our systems.”
Moreover, a well established and targeted clinical training program for the spinal surgical community, named CM3, rounds out the joimax educational offering. Earlier this year, joimax launched ESPINEA, an Endoscopic Spine Academy focused on a complete endoscopic spine curriculum. Designed as a full training program to elevate surgeons to the next level of expertise, ESPINEA offers professional and high-quality education for endoscopic spine treatment specialists, worldwide. The ESPINEA Training and Education Centres are located in Karlsruhe, Germany in the newly opened joimax building, and in Irvine, USA, where joimax opened new labs and training rooms last November.
