First Hippocampus Laser Ablation Procedure Performed

The first stereotactic laser ablation of the hippocampus, using MRI Interventions’ ClearPoint neuro navigation system and Monteris’ NeuroBlate system under real time MRI guidance, was performed at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. MRI Interventions made the announcement Monday.

The ablation was conducted on a male patient in his mid-40s. The ClearPoint and Monteris systems allowed the procedure to be carried out with sub-millimetric accuracy, says Dr. Dennis Spencer, director of epilepsy surgery at the hospital.

Last year, the two systems announced a joint collaboration, which enabled the laser ablation of a brain tumor.

The ClearPoint system is FDA- and CE Mark-approved. The NeuroBlate system is FDA-cleared. — Jason Scott