joimax, the German-based market leader in technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery, is pleased to announce that Intracs^em, its electromagnetic navigation tracking and control system, has been approved by the FDA.

The Intracs^em Navigation System allows for spinal procedures to be carried out with minimal X-ray control, drastically reducing radiation exposure, access time, and the entire length of the surgical procedure. In fact, all joimax instruments and scopes can be tracked and accurately navigated through the appropriate sensors, which improves safety, expands endoscopic indications, and flattens the learning curve.
 
Intracs^em is a multiyear development. Its first cadaveric trials were made with a group of surgeons at the ESPINEA Labs in Karlsruhe, Germany and Irvine, Calif.
 
According to Prof. Dr. med. Michael Kraus of ORTHIX Zentrum in Augsburg, Germany, who headed the preliminary trials: “Using Intracs^em Navigation System in the full endoscopic spine surgery is safe and easily applicable. The technology helps master precise access to the spine, and the clinical trials have confirmed the technique’s multiple advantages.”
 
Prof. Dr. Chris Hofstetter of UW Medical Center in Seattle, Wash., added: “joimax Intracs^em constitutes a highly precise image-guided navigation platform designed for the specific needs of full-endoscopic spine surgery. Using electromagnetic navigation technology allows to track the leading edge of endoscopic instruments in real time, and facilitates needle targeting and orientation during the surgery, while minimizing radiation exposure. No doubt, this technology will expand the indications for full-endoscopic spine surgery and pave the way for innovations in minimally invasive arthrodesis techniques.”