Real time vascular fluorescence for intra-operative vascular neurosurgery

Leica Microsystems has received, first in surgical microscopy, an FDA 510(k) approval for the Leica FL800, an intra-operative video angiography device for the viewing of blood flow in the cerebral vascular area using Akorn ICG. This is the only FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approval for video angiography in the cerebral vascular area using ICG (IndoCyanine Green) as a fluorescent agent.

Surgeons with experience in vascular fluorescence have commented that the goal of ICG fluorescence lies in the quick and easy visualization of blood flow, which subsequently enables the

surgeon to determine the permeability of vessels and effects of their surgery while they are operating through the Leica surgical microscope. Surgeons at a recent Congress of Neurosurgery in Chicago commented that real time vascular fluorescence is the biggest advance in intra-operative vascular neurosurgery in years.


The Leica FL800 fluorescence system is designed as a combination of an excitation light system, an ICG fluorescent agent, and a near infra-red camera to achieve the result. The FDA 510(k) approval for the Leica FL800 was limited to the Akorn ICG, Leica surgical microscopes, and to the cerebral vascular area. Leica Microsystems may consider additional application extensions to its FDA approval in the future.


The Leica FL800 vascular fluorescence procedure is quite simple for the surgeon to perform. The ICG agent is injected intravenously and the surgeon presses one button. The special NIR camera than picks up the fluorescent signal and displays it to the surgeon in real time. In addition the Leica FL800 records the imaging as a special loop so the surgeon can repeat the image later in surgery. This procedure can be repeated six times in a single surgery so the surgeon can track the effects of his surgical procedure on blood flow in the brain.


for more information on Leica Microsystems visit:
http://www.leica-microsystems.com/Surgical_Microscopes

for more information on Akorn ICG visit:
http://www.akorn.com