Technology

In medicine, neurological disorders are among the most complex to diagnose, manage and monitor, let alone cure.

It's not suprising.

Especially when you consider that the brain is at the center of all we do as humans. Disorders of the arms, legs, back, ears, eyes and other extremities could be just a localized ailment  — or they could be an indicator of something neurological.

How do you know? How do you respond? How do you not overreact but -- more importantly -- not ignore signs that could lead to life-long debilitations?

Thankfully, new equipment, new procedures and new medications are continually being developed. In the hands of the skilled specialists of St. John Health System's neurosciences team, these become instruments of care.

Below is a list of some of the technological devices and procedures used by St. John Health System physicians.

Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS)

If you are not satisfied with an increasing loss of movement control that is causing a decline in the quality of your life and you have tried a reasonable trial of medications, the Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS) may be right for you. St. John Health System offers patients with Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and other movement disorders relief from the tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement and stiffness as well as helps improve balance problems associated with the conditions. DBS is an improved variation of a proven surgery that does not disrupt or destroy small structures of the brain. As an FDA-approved surgical procedure, DBS involves the implantation of an electrode in the brain that releases pulses of energy to block abnormal brain activity. St. John Health System's experienced specialists accurately locate the specific area in the brain to deliver stimulation, which is then monitored and adjusted to provide the best possible outcome.

Varian Trilogy System

St. John Health System's Stereotactic Radiosurgery System uses sophisticated 3D computerized imaging to target a narrow x-ray beam and deliver a highly concentrated dose to small primary and or metastatic lesions throughout a patient's body with minimal damage to normal, critical structures and tissue. The increased accuracy of this technology reduces side effects and spares surrounding normal tissue.

Epley Omniax System

St. John Health System is proud to offer a high-tech cure for positional vertigo through the use of the Epley Omniax System in a new clinic that is scheduled to debut in January 2010. Omniax is a multi-axial (360-degree) patient positioning device and infrared video goggles that allows 3D, real-time monitoring and measurement of your eye movements. Based on the feedback, the doctor can physically position you (sometimes upside down or sideways) to treat the condition by maneuvering the body to get the crystals back in the proper place?alleviating your dizziness and restoring your quality of life.

Bioness H200 and L300

St. John Health System has a revolutionary treatment for partial arm or leg paralysis in patients who have conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, tramatic brain injury, incomplete spinal cord injury and cerebral palsy. The neuroprosthetic devices employ electrical stimulation to fire muscles and produce movement in the hand or ankle/foot. The NESS L-300 has been featured on Good Morning America and the Today Show is endorsed by The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). St. John Health System patients are experiencing incredible outcomes.

VitalStim

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a neglected medical disorder affecting 1 of 17 people during their lifetime, including 50% to 75% of stroke patients and nearly 90% of Parkinson's Disease or ALS patients. The VitalStim therapeutic therapy employs a non-invasive, external electrical stimulation that retrains the throat muscles to regain the swallow function. St. John Health System's certified clinicians administer this effective new therapy to restore your basic swallow function, returning you to your normal way of life.

Reo Therapy

St. John Health System is providing patients with an innovative neurorecovery therapy that is producing greater functional recovery for stroke patients. The Reo Go is robot-assisted device that provides rehabilitation through a movement training program of repetitive arm exercises. Providing far greater outcomes than traditional therapy, Reo Therapy has received deserved attention with clinical research.

Virtual Reality Training Systems

Staying on the cutting edge of technology, St. John Health System is providing patients with therapy systems that utilize virtual reality platforms to retrain balance, core stability and movement control. The Cybex Trazer uses technology similar to the popular Nintendo Wii, and the IREX is a system that uses a green screen studio that enables patients to watch themselves on a large monitor as they perform exercises or games that challenge balance, extremity control and agility.

LiteGait

Offering partial weight-bearing therapy to patients previously not eligible due to the severity or complexity of their condition or cognitive level, St. John Health System employs a successful gait training system that achieves favorable outcomes with gait speed, balance and motor control for stroke rehab. Using a central pattern generator, this therapy system provides more freedom and treatment options using a safe platform.

Vagus Nerve Stimulator for Epilepsy/Seizures

The vagus nerve stimulator works like a heart pacemaker. It is implanted into the chest where it continuously sends seizure blocking signals to the brain through the vagus nerve in the neck.

Stealthstation Treatment Guidance System for Spinal Disorders and Neurotrauma

Three dimensional imaging for head and spine. This technology, used simultaneously during surgery, allows surgeons to "see through" tissue and can improve physician's accuracy of surgical treatment and may potentially reduce the need for a "halo" after surgery. Another advantage is the potential to make smaller incisions which may reduce complications and hospital stay as well. St. John Hospital is the only hospital in metro Detroit using this procedure for the head and spine.

Auditory Brain Stem Implants

Neurofibromatosis II causes patients to develop bilateral (i.e., both sides) acoustic neuromas. Because both ears are affected in Neurofibromatosis II, bilateral deafness is usually the outcome of tumor growth or removal.With an Auditory Brain Stem Implants, a patient can get some appreciation of sound, although the sound quality does not have the fidelity of normal hearing.

Charite artificial disc replacement

The damaged disc is removed and a metal and plastic disc about the size of a quarter is inserted into the spine

Cochlear implantation

The cochlear implant is an electronic instrument. Part of the device is implanted in the temporal (ear) bone and part is worn like a pocket-type hearing aid on the body. The cochlear implant, however, is not a hearing aid. It allows limited speech discrimination (understanding), makes communication easier and enables the user to hear many environmental sounds.

Neurodiagnostics

St. John Health offers the following advanced Neurodiagnostic services to diagnose disease and injuries of the brain, spine and nervous system.

Pain Managment

Types of standard treatments include: nerve blocks, trigger point injections, physical therapy assessment/recommendations, occupational therapy/work hardening referrals, transcutaneous nerve stimulator and a number of psychological services.

More Advanced Treatments Include: 

• Neurolytic techniques
• Cryoanalgesia
• Radiofrequency lesioning
• Myeloscopic procedures (lysis of adhesions)
• Spinal cord stimulators
• Implantable pumps for spinal delivery of medication for cancer pain, spinal cord spasticity, related neuromuscular diseases 
   

Also...

• MRI
• Open MRI
• Neuroscience Case Studies
• PET/CT Brochure (PDF)
• Temporal Bone Lab Providence Hospital