December 14, 2005
Contact:
Judie Havers
Corporate Communications & Public Relations
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500, ext 58738
A Milestone in Neurological Treatment
(LONDON, Ontario) - London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is pleased to announce the acquisition of a significant technical advancement in interventional and diagnostic applications, the AXIOM Artis dTA digital angiography system built by Siemens Canada Ltd.
This technology is the first of its kind in North America. It is a fully digital process that will allow for access to information throughout a patient procedure. It will mean that all functions can be performed at the table, close to the patient, without the staff having to leave the room. The surgeon can determine during the procedure if the surgery has been successful rather than waiting for a post-surgery scan.
Dr. Steve Lownie, Co-Chair of the Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, LHSC, says, “The system provides excellent images at an extremely low dose of radiation and eliminates the need for multiple procedures. The increased efficiency of the unit will translate into shorter procedures resulting in an increase in patient load and a decrease in waiting times.”
Initially, the technology will be used for patients suffering from cerebrovascular and spinal illnesses, for epilepsy electrode surgery and for image guidance procedures.
“We are very pleased that we will be able to provide this state-of-the art technology for patients who have a potentially life-altering illness when accuracy in intervention is of the utmost importance,” says Tony Dagnone, President and CEO, LHSC.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is one of Canada’s largest acute-care teaching hospitals and is dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching and research. LHSC has pioneered many national and international medical breakthroughs. Located in London, Ontario, LHSC encompasses three sites, South Street Hospital, University Hospital and Victoria Hospital; two family medical centres; and the London Regional Cancer Program. LHSC is the home of the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario and CSTAR (Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics). The research arm of LHSC is Lawson Health Research Institute, which is partnered with London’s other teaching hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Care, London. LHSC is affiliated with The University of Western Ontario. Physicians and staff at LHSC number close to 8,000 and together they provide care for more than 600,000 patients each year.
