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D E E P B R A I N S T I M U L AT I O N (DBS) is a well-established treatment for Pa rk inson's Disease. Minimally invasive, the procedure involves implantation of electrodes in the brain, with input from the patient who is awake throughout the surgery. Now, with an advanced neuro- intervention system, patient input is no longer required. So the patient can 'sleep' through the entire procedure. The system is ClearPoint, and it's currently available at only a handful of hos- pitals across the nation. Recently, Akron General Medical Center became the first between Cleveland and Columbus to offer DBS when it installed this new technology. ClearPoint is an integrated system of software and hardware used for the planning, targeting and delivery of DBS. Specifically, the ClearPoint system uti- lizes intra-operative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) to provide stereotactic guidance for the placement and operation of instruments and devices. Mark R. Hoeprich, MD, is the neu- rosurgeon who performs DBS at Akron Genera l 's Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Hoeprich joined Akron General after completing fellowship training in epilepsy-function neurosurgery at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital last year. "The ClearPoint is new and exciting technology," he says. "Coupled with our 3T iMRI that's built right into our neurosurgery suite, it offers real-time image-guidance, so intra-operative partici- pation of the patient is no longer required. Instead, the patient can undergo DBS while under general anesthesia." DBS Then and Now Introduced in 1987, DBS has been refined as technolog y has evolved. The ClearPoint system, however, has revolutionized the procedure – making it safer, much faster (90–120 minutes), more comfortable and less stressful for the patient, according to Dr. Hoeprich. "Patients have far less anxiety than when undergoing brain surgery awake," Dr. Hoeprich explains. "Also patients with severe head tremor, who cannot be safely DBS: New, Improved and Now Available at Akron General Mark R. Hoeprich, MD, is the neurosurgeon who performs DBS at Akron General's Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Hoeprich completed his fellowship training in epilepsy-function neurosurgery at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + +++ + +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CLINICAL SPOTLIGHT 1 4 | Cleveland/Akron/Canton MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M ■ J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 4