Brain Navi, a medical technology company, has completed the 100th surgical procedure using its NaoTrac neurosurgical navigation robot. This landmark case was conducted by Dr. Hao-Yu Chuang, the Director of the Neurosurgery Department at Annan Hospital in Tainan, Taiwan.
The adoption of NaoTrac is not limited to Annan Hospital. Several other hospitals across Taiwan have also installed this system. Dr. Chun-Chung Chen of China Medical University Hospital’s Neurosurgery Department remarked on the system’s effectiveness in treating intracerebral hemorrhages, noting the precision it provides in planning and executing surgical procedures. Similarly, Dr. Jeng-Hung Guo pointed out the system’s efficiency in reducing surgical times and enhancing patient recovery.
NaoTrac’s journey began with its first clinical use at Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center on November 7, 2018. Dr. Shinn-Zong Lin, the Superintendent, praised the system for its impact on neurosurgery. Furthermore, Professor Tsung-Lang Chiu, who published the first medical journal article on NaoTrac, noted its ease of integration into medical practice and its benefits in terms of efficiency and economics.
One of the key features of NaoTrac is its use of machine vision technology, which simplifies the registration process for patients and instruments, significantly reducing the time required for this step. The system has received regulatory approvals, including the CE mark in April 2021 and Taiwan FDA approval in July 2022. Feedback from neurosurgeons during its initial market release has been instrumental in its continual development.
Dr. Jerry Chen, CEO of Brain Navi, expressed satisfaction with the safety record of NaoTrac, noting that all 100 procedures were completed without complications. He also announced plans for international expansion in 2024, with partnerships being formed in the USA, Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Latin America, Malaysia, and other regions. This expansion aims to make the technology more accessible, streamlining operational workflows in hospitals and ultimately benefiting a larger patient population.
