Medical Equipment Used for Brain Surgery

Every organ making up our body system is vital. But with all of these body system organs, the brain is said to be the most important since it the one that allows us to function on a daily basis. The brain performs a number of tasks such as regulating the body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. This main organ of nervous system also controls all of our sense – sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch. It let us think, dream, reason and experience emotions. Furthermore, the brain handles physical motion when walking, talking, standing or sitting.

Considering the various tasks that are coordinated, controlled, and regulated by the brain; providing upmost care to the said organ is a must. But due to unavoidable circumstances or accidents, the brain is often left injured. Just recently, the US Representative Gabrielle Gifford was immediately brought at University Medical Center and undergone brain surgery after being shot though the head when a gunman identified by police as Jared Lounghner, opened fire in front of a Safeway supermarket in Tucson, Arizona. Aside from the congresswoman, six people lose their lives and 24 others were injured last January 8, 2011 because of that same incident.

On this page, we will tackle the common procedure as well as medical equipment being used when performing brain surgery.

Computerized Tomography or Computerized Axial Tomography scan is a non-invasive medical method that employs a computer and x-rays in order to generate cross-sectional images of the body. From the produced images, the medical specialist is able to look at the inside of the body. The medical equipment used for this diagnostic procedure is called CT or CAT scanner. This scanner is a large computerized machine that uses digital geometry processing to generate 2-dimensional image of a slice or section through a 3-dimensional object (tomogram).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan is a diagnostic procedure that provides cross-sectional images of the brain and other organs and structures within the body without using X-ray or other forms of radiation. MRI produces more detailed images of the brain than a CT scan as it employs a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer. Hence, physicians are able to evaluate better the different parts of the body and detect the presence of certain diseases that may not be assessed accurately with other imaging methods.

Magnetic Resonance Angiography is a group of technique based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging to image the blood vessels. This diagnostic procedure is very important in order to evaluate the arteries as they may suffer from stenosis (abnormal narrowing of arteries), occlusion (sudden blockage of a blood vessels), or aneurysms (vessel wall dilatations, at risk of rupture). Through this procedure, surgeons can predict and avoid blood supply problems prior to surgery.

Operating Microscope is an optical microscope specifically designed to be used when performing microsurgery. Its magnification typically ranges from 4x-40x and this essential medical equipment for brain surgery is often designed with a prism that allows splitting of the light beam so as the assistants are able to visualize the procedure or take photographs or videos to be taken of the operating field.

Coagulation Instrument or Analyzer is used to evaluate the platelet function and coagulation i adult. With this innovative medical equipment, physicians are able to determine which part of the brain’s blood vessel is damaged due to clotting of blood.

A neurosurgeon could never perform brain surgery without the availability of Tyndallers. This is one of the most popular medical equipment used for crucial surgery just like brain surgery. Tyndallers are exceptionally designed to help in wedging into the brain so as to open up the damaged tissues.