Birth of an idea

The Stereotaxis® magnetic surgery system was co-invented by Matthew Howard, M.D., head of neurosurgery at UI Hospitals and Clinics. He conceived the idea as a medical student, then helped develop it over a period of years, working collaboratively with physicists and neurosurgeons.

The idea was to eliminate the need for mechanical controls of medical devices and instead use magnetic forces to guide implants. This concept--combined with advanced medical imaging techniques, high-speed computers, and magnetic manipulation techniques--allows physicians to perform procedures using a computer joystick.

"When I thought about this system originally, it was with neurosurgery applications in mind," Howard said. "As we developed the system into a practical clinical device, it became clear that the system had the potential to facilitate a wide range of procedures that involve placing implants and catheters in the body.

UI Heart and Vascular Center physicians are among the first to use a revolutionary Stereotaxis® magnetic guidance system to treat patients with coronary artery disease and heart rhythm problems.

The magnetic surgery system features two, 1,000-pound superconducting magnetic assemblies and advanced computer imaging technology.

"As cardiology procedures become more complex and powerful, the ability to position catheters within certain parts of the heart poses a major challenge," said interventional cardiologist James Rossen, M.D. "The magnetic guidance system provides the potential for quicker, easier, and more accurate placement of catheters and other devices within the heart. This ability may allow cardiologists to perform previously impossible procedures."

Physicians use a joystick to navigate a magnetically tipped catheter (a small tube) through the arteries with great precision, accessing hard-to-reach blood vessels and treating rhythm problems in the chambers of the heart.

The pace with which cardiologists have adapted this technology to their specific specialty needs has been remarkable. They are the clear leaders in this field, but other promising clinical applications are not far behind. One particularly exciting new research area involves magnetic navigation in the lung, which is being led by Geoffrey McLennan, M.D., Ph.D., UI Hospitals and Clinics pulmonologist.

Installed in one of UI Heart and Vascular Center's heart catheterization laboratories, the system is the first one offered to Iowans, the seventh system available nationwide, and the 11th in the world. It was produced by Stereotaxis, Inc.

Stereotaxis at work
Frank Eischens, nurse manager of the catheterization laboratory, and radiographer Amy Meyer demonstrate how the patient is positioned for treatment by sterotaxis, a powerful magnetic guidance system.

Innovator
Neurosurgery head Matthew Howard, M.D. co-invented stereotaxis.