Digital Anatomics Participates in Innovative Trial at UMC Utrecht to Validate Surgical Guides with MRI Imaging Technology
On August 27, cadaveric trials were conducted at UMC Utrecht, in collaboration with surgeons from UMC Amsterdam, to validate the accuracy of customized surgical guides based on synthetic CT scans generated from MRI images by the company MRIguidance. Digital Anatomics, together with the 3D Lab at UMC Utrecht, manufactured surgical guides used as validation technology, marking a milestone in the application of new technologies in spinal surgery.
During the trial, four batches of 19 guides were placed on four specimens, covering levels from C7 to S2AI. In total, 76 surgical guides were used, designed and manufactured alternately between Digital Anatomics and the hospital’s 3D Lab, using both real CT and synthetic CT. The preliminary results, prior to quantitative analysis using registration algorithms, were highly satisfactory, with all guides fitting appropriately and stably to the bone anatomy.
WHAT MAKES THIS TECHNOLOGY SO SPECIAL?
MRIguidance’s technology represents a significant advancement in the planning and execution of complex surgeries, such as spinal surgeries, by enabling the generation of precise surgical guides using MRI images instead of traditional CT scans, thanks to artificial intelligence that converts MRI images into CT. This offers several key advantages that could transform surgical approaches in the future:
- Easier Access to Surgeries: MRI is the most common and first-line diagnostic imaging test for most patients preparing for any type of surgery. Unlike CT, which is not always available or may not be the first imaging option, MRI is almost universally accessible in hospitals and healthcare centers. This significantly expands the possibility of using customized surgical guides in a greater number of procedures, especially in situations where access to CT is limited.
- Goodbye to Radiation: One of the biggest benefits of this technology is that it reduces radiation exposure to zero. Since surgical guides can now be designed using MRI-derived images, patients are no longer exposed to additional doses of radiation. This is especially important for children and patients who require multiple imaging studies.
- Cost Reduction: Additionally, this technology could help reduce costs. MRI is generally more accessible and less expensive than CT, which could translate into significant savings for hospitals and patients. Less radiation, fewer additional images, and a more efficient process result in more economical care.
From Digital Anatomics, we would like to thank UMC Utrecht and MRIguidance for the opportunity to participate in this key trial. This joint effort not only validates the accuracy of our customized surgical guides but also marks a significant step forward in adopting technologies that enhance safety, efficiency, and accessibility in modern surgery.
We would like to extend special thanks to Drs. Tom P.C. Schlösser, Barend van Royen, Peter Lafranca, Jules Cool, and 3D Lab coordinator Joëll Magré, as well as the entire MRIguidance team, for their dedication and support in this important project.