Acclarent, Inc, part of the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies,* and a developer of minimally-invasive Ear, Nose, & Throat (ENT) technologies, announced the US launch of its “first-ever AI-powered ENT technology, designed to simplify surgical planning and provide real-time feedback during ENT navigation procedures.” The new software package contains TruSeg and TruPath for use with the TruDi Navigation System and leverages a machine learning algorithm to provide reliable and efficient image guided preoperative planning and navigation for ENT procedures, like endoscopic sinus surgery.

Related article: Acclarent Launches TruDi 3D Navigation System for ENT Procedures

More than 30 million adults in the US are diagnosed with sinusitis each year.1 Those with chronic sinusitis typically suffer from a combination of nasal congestion, facial pain/pressure, decreased sense of smell, and other symptoms impacting their quality of life.1 While chronic sinusitis is typically treated first with medication, at least 20% of people do not respond adequately to such treatment and may require sinus surgery.2 

TruDi has enabled software-guided navigation since its launch in 2018 and is designed for ENT surgeons to deliver real-time 3D guidance, anatomical mapping, and surgical insights to assist throughout ENT procedures.

  • TruSeg enables surgeons to apply automatic segmentation to a patient’s anatomical structures based on a preoperative CT scan. This feature allows the precise labeling of anatomical structures, such as the eyes and brain, to function as beacons to alert the surgeon when a navigated surgical device approaches the structure during ENT procedures. 
  • TruPath calculates and presents the shortest valid path that doesn’t cross bone. 

“As one of the first ENTs to use TruDi, I immediately recognized the opportunity for this technology to help surgeons avoid unintended consequences and expand access to safe, minimally invasive, long-term solutions to patients in need of sinus surgery,” said Charles Ebert, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist and Professor, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.**“Through this innovation we are maximizing patient care.”

Acclarent will share details and real-world experiences of ENTs utilizing TruDi at two upcoming annual meetings taking place in Los Angeles – the American Rhinologic Society (ARS) Annual Meeting (October 1-2) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Annual Meeting (October 3-6). 

“The launch of this AI-powered software for TruDi is a leap forward in the evolution of image-guided ENT and skull base procedures,” said Jeff Hopkins, worldwide president, Acclarent, Inc. “Acclarent continues to reimagine what’s possible with ENT navigation and TruDi continues to benefit patients and the ENT community through consistent accuracy, a simple workflow, and pioneering software functionality.”3

For more information on TruDi and its software features, please visit: https://www.jnjmedicaldevices.com/en-US/product-family/navigation.

*  The Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies comprise the surgery, orthopaedics, vision, and interventional solutions businesses within Johnson & Johnson’s Medical Devices segment.

**Dr Ebert is a paid consultant to Acclarent, Inc.

  1. Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al. Clinical practice guideline (Update): Adult sinusitis. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(2S):S1–S39.
  2. Lal D, Scianna JM, Stankiewicz JA. Efficacy of targeted medical therapy in chronic rhinosinusitis, and predictors of failure. American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy. 2009;23(4):396-400.
  3. Acclarent website. TruDi ENT Navigation System Instructions for Use. UG–2000–00 02A 11.2018. https://www.jnjmedicaldevices.com/en-US/procedure/navigation.

Source: Acclarent

Image: Acclarent