MRI-guided laser ablation for healthcare professionals

Alert Indications, Safety, and Warnings

MRI-guided laser ablation coagulates and necrotizes unwanted tissue in the brain. The Visualase™ MRI-guided laser ablation system consists of a small laser catheter that delivers light energy to the target area. As that light is delivered, the temperature in the target area begins to rise and is observed under real-time MRI imaging — allowing the surgeon precise control of the ablation. After the procedure, the small incision can usually be closed with a single suture,^1,2 and in many cases the patient can return home the next day.^3-8

Do more for patients.

Now FDA-cleared to ablate
epileptic foci and tumors in
the brain. Give your
patients a minimally invasive
alternative to craniotomy,
because less time in the
hospital is more time for living.

Epileptic foci ablation

Your medically-refractory focal epilepsy patients may benefit from Visualase™ MRI-guided laser ablation. FDA-cleared to ablate epileptic foci, this minimally invasive surgical option may ultimately help patients manage their seizures when medication alone may not work.

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Brain tumor ablation

Your primary and metastatic brain tumor patients may benefit from Visualase™ MRI-guided laser ablation. FDA-cleared to ablate tumors in the brain, this minimally invasive surgical option may ultimately help patients to a speedier recovery for the continuation of their treatment.

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Learn more about Visualase™ MRI‑guided laser ablation

Visualase™ MRI-guided laser ablation has been used by neurosurgeons since 2007 for precise and controlled necrotization and coagulation of soft tissue in the brain. Learn more about Visualase™ technology, equipment, and workflow.

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Is Visualase™ therapy right for your patient?

Our team is here to support you with the information you need to make the most informed decisions for your patient’s care.

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Medtronic U.S. Clinician Services can be contacted at 800‑328‑0810.

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Reimbursement guide

Download quick guide with 2022 CPT codes and commercial payer coverage info.

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Medical education opportunities

Access on-demand procedural videos, webinars, and more at Medtronic Academy.

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Kang JY, Wu C, Tracy J, et al. Laser interstitial thermal therapy for medically intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2016;57(2):325–334.

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Lewis EC, Weil AG, Duchowny M, Bhatia S, Ragheb J, Miller I. MR-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy for pediatric drug-resistant lesional epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2015;56(10):1590–1598. doi:10.1111/epi.13106.

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Patel P, Patel NV, Danish SF. Intracranial MR-guided laser-induced thermal therapy: single-center experience with the Visualase thermal therapy system. J Neurosurg. 2016;125(4):853–860. doi:10.3171/2015.7.JNS15244.

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Wilfong AA, Curry DJ. Hypothalamic hamartomas: optimal approach to clinical evaluation and diagnosis. Epilepsia. 2013;54. Suppl 9:109–114. doi:10.1111/epi.12454.

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Willie JT, Laxpati NG, Drane DL, et al. Real-time magnetic resonance-guided stereotactic laser amygdalohippocampotomy for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurosurgery. 2014;74(6):569–585. doi:10.1227/NEU.0000000000000343.