JACKSON, Mich., Jan. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Henry Ford Allegiance Health is the first in Michigan to offer patients the advantages of the ExcelciusGPSTM surgical system. Innovative designs like the ExcelciusGPS are revolutionizing minimally invasive spine surgery and optimizing patient care by combining the benefits of navigation and robotics into one technology. This technology is designed to increase safety for patients and accuracy for their surgeons.
“Robot-assisted surgery is a new, emerging area that will become the standard in care,” said Henry Ford Allegiance Health neurosurgeon Frank La Marca, MD. “At Henry Ford Allegiance Health, we are committed to providing the highest quality of care for our spine surgery patients. We are excited to offer our patients the advantages of the Excelcius system, which allows us to perform minimally invasive procedures which may result in less blood loss, less muscle damage and a potentially faster recovery.”
One of the advantages of the ExcelciusGPS system is the inclusion of a GPS 3-D guidance system, designed to improve accuracy and optimize patient care by combining robotics with navigation, much like the GPS in a car. This advanced technology allows a neurosurgeon to place screws and implants in a very precise fashion while seeing exactly where to place their instruments in real-time. 
Henry Ford Allegiance neurosurgeon Azam Basheer, MD, said, “The GPS navigation gives me continuous feedback and allows me to see everything in real time. Now, my colleagues and I can preprogram coordinates, so the robotic arm can assist in guiding us to precise locations in the patient’s spine. The result is safer, faster surgery with less radiation exposure and less need to reposition my patient.”
“Another advantage of ExcelciusGPS is that it allows us to make even safer, more consistent and smaller incisions,” said Henry Ford Allegiance neurosurgeon Armitraj Loganathan, MD. “This is valuable because it promotes healing and lessens scarring.”
About Henry Ford Allegiance Health
Henry Ford Allegiance Health (HFAH) is a 475-bed health system in Jackson, Michigan. HFAH complements traditional acute care services with mission-based services to support patient care across the continuum at every stage of life. With its Level II Trauma Center, Henry Ford Allegiance Health provides comprehensive care for severely injured patients. As a teaching hospital, Henry Ford Allegiance Health continually looks to the future with its Center for Health Innovation & Education and Graduate Medical Education program. Through its Health Improvement Organization (HIO), HFAH is also a national leader in forming community partnerships that innovatively address regional wellness and prevention needs. Visit HenryFordAllegiance.com to learn more.
About Henry Ford Health System
Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) is a six hospital system headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. HFHS is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive, integrated health systems, recognized for clinical excellence and innovation. It provides health insurance and health care delivery, including acute, specialty, primary and preventive care services backed by excellence in research and education. HFHS is a 2011 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient. Visit henryford.com to learn more.
SOURCE Henry Ford Allegiance Health
PHOTO: Henry Ford Allegiance Health neurosurgeons Azam Basheer, MD, (left) and Amritraj Loganathan, MD, with the ExcelciusGPS robot