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Technology of Hope
In the capable hands of experienced and compassionate professionals at Loyola University Health System, technology becomes an instrument of healing.
As the youngest baby boomers reach 43, more people in the United States are turning toward technology to help maintain their health, well-being and active lifestyles. The health-care professionals at Loyola use technology every day to fight the effects of age, illness or trauma and help you get back on your
feet — fast.
Robotic-Assisted Surgery
“Robotic-assisted surgery is a great innovation because it allows us to perform surgery with minimal invasion and perfect visualization through a three-dimensional (3-D) view of the surgical site,” Mamdouh Bakhos, MD, cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon at Loyola, said. “Surgeons can now go into small, limited spaces where hands can’t fit, and still provide excellent surgical outcomes.”
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Kimberly Kenton, MD, MS, a urogynecologist who performs robotic-assisted surgery on women who suffer from pelvic floor disorders.
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Surgeons at Loyola currently use robotic-assisted surgery to close holes in the heart, perform mitral valve surgery, insert pacemakers and remove chest tumors — as well as to perform other surgical interventions like complex prostate surgery. Following the robotic-assisted procedure, patients are left with only tiny scars and usually have less pain and discomfort than with traditional surgeries, along with a lower risk for infection.
Shaped-Beam Radiosurgery
Treating tumors in the body requires careful planning and precision. Shaped-beam radiosurgery, available at Loyola, allows radiation oncologists, in partnership with other specialties such as neurological surgery, to be even more precise. Working together, physicians can develop treatment plans that are safe and effective. With this technology, the radiation beam can be shaped to the size and dimensions of the patient’s tumor from all angles. It also minimizes the effect of the radiation on surrounding tissues. This virtually pain-free treatment is done on an outpatient basis. Fewer treatments are needed and recovery time is much faster.
Computer Image-Guided Surgery
Computer image-guided surgery provides surgeons with more direct access to surgical sites for faster surgeries and shorter recoveries. It also produces 3-D, real-time images during the procedure, so the physician can view the site at any angle without disturbing surrounding tissue.
“Several years ago, this kind of technology was rare,” Thomas Origitano, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon at Loyola, said. “Today’s educated patient expects this type of technology to play a role in treatment, so we are proud to offer it.”
64-Slice CT Scanner
Since radiology first began, one body part that eluded being imaged with superior detail and clarity was the heart. Thanks to the superior image quality of the 64-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner, one of the most important organs now can be visualized clearly and with great detail. Taking hundreds of single pictures at one time, the CT scanner gives physicians a clear view of the vessels leading to the heart, as well as to other small vessels in the body.
Since images are captured so quickly, patients spend less time on the scanner and do not have to hold their breath for as long, making the overall experience more comfortable. It also can replace the need for invasive diagnostic procedures, which carry a certain amount of risk.
Loyola is committed to offering the highest quality of care with the most state-of-the-art technology available. Please call (888) LUHS-888 to make an appointment with a Loyola physician.
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