MicroGuide Pro™

State-of-the-art MER system with advanced research functionality

 

+ optional Guiding System


The MicroGuide Pro™ by Alpha Omega is the world’s most advanced intra-operative MER system for functional neurosurgery - a comprehensive guidance unit available for target localization in the surgical treatment of movement disorders. The system is ideal for university hospitals and other institutions using MER both in the clinical and research settings. The MicroGuide Pro™ offers an extensive range of functions and tools to allow users to record and analyze important data taken during each procedure. This data, in turn plays an inextricable role in research.
MicroGuide Pro™ is present globally in the world’s best hospitals, and has served top doctors and researchers to more effectively achieve their research objectives while not sacrificing clinical efficiency.


 

 


 

Unbeatable functionality


The MicroGuide Pro™ has an 8 channel recording capability (special configurations of more than 8 channels are available upon customer request). These can be split between spikes, local field potentials (LFP), electromyography (EMG), or any other auxiliary channels (such as EEG, EOG, ECOG) - a flexibility that is unsurpassed. The MicroGuide Pro™ can easily connect to other systems and is equipped with both analog and digital input / output connectivity. The unit can connect to such devices as a goniometer or IOI modules through TCP/IP. On-line capabilities include spike sorting with template matching and a plethora of other statistical tools.
 

With integrated micro and macro stimulation, the neurosurgeon can instantly switch from recording to stimulation, to achieve maximum precision in DBS placement. The system is designed for efficiency and ease of use, as the entire operation can be controlled from within the sterile field using the hand-held control pad. For the surgeon’s convenience, information for all system components as well as neural activity is displayed on one screen. In addition, the entire trajectory can be annotated to reflect significant events and brain structures as the electrode passes through them. These features and many more, set the MicroGuide Pro™ apart from any other MER system currently available.
 

Ideal for
  • University and other research hospitals
  • Doctors and surgeons requiring research data in addition to clinical use
Key Features Include
  • Easy to assemble 5-electrode microdrive
  • Sophisticated yet easy to use software offering a plethora of research capabilities
  • Fully integrated display
  • Evoked potential recording synchronized with the goniometer signal, to easily identify neuronal response to passive movement (optional)
  • β Oscillation Detection Algorithm, helps the user to identify the motor area of the STN to insure best location for implantation (optional)
  • Multi-channel recording and integrated stimulator
  • Easy to access controls
  • Trajectory map construction and documentation
Key Benefits
  • Streamlined operation saves O.R. time
  • Flexible system configurable according to research and clinical needs
  • Unparalleled research capabilities and functionality
  • Assess stimulation efficacy in the O.R. for best outcome
  • Conduct research without compromising clinical efficiency
  • Superior signal quality
MicroGuide Pro™ Optional Add-On
β Oscillation Algorithm Guiding System and Goniometer Evoked Potentials Module

Alpha Omega continues to lead innovation by offering a new optional module for the MicroGuide Pro™, which further simplifies the surgery procedure and ensures that the correct target has been found by the surgeon.
Based on an algorithm developed by renowned researcher Dr. Hagai Bergman, the Alpha Omega Guiding System module offers users an additional back-up to ensure the correct target has been effectively located. According to the latest research by Dr. Bergman, the spatial extent of the dorsolateral oscillatory region, which overlaps the motor territories of the STN, predicts the outcome of STN DBS. In addition, specific b-oscillation frequencies in the dorsolateral oscillatory region predict the response of Parkinson’s disease motor symptoms to DBS and medication. The research therefore suggests that optimization of DBS outcome in patients with Parkinson’s disease could be achieved by intraoperative analysis of STN b-oscillations by microelectrode or macroelectrode recording (Chen et al., 2006). Optimal DBS outcome would be achieved by selecting the trajectory with maximal dorsolateral oscillatory region length and by placement of the DBS contact in proximity of the STN dorsolateral oscillatory region centre.

Below: Visual Targeting - β Oscillation Algorithm Guiding System and Goniometer Evoked Potentials Module

 


This module will enable surgeons to now fully visualize the reaction to patient passive hand movement and stimulation during the procedure. Previously this process depended solely on audio signals to measure patient responsiveness.