Froedtert Hospital & Medical College of Wisconsin physicians develop app for 'awake' brain surgery: 5 things to know

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Physicians at Froedtert Hospital & the Medical College of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee, are using a new app to improve brain mapping, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Here are five things to know:

 

1. David Sabsevitz, PhD, a neuropsychologist at Froedtert Hospital created the app in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee App Brewery to better test a patient's brain functions.

 

2. The app, NeuroMapper, displays various tasks and questions for a patient through a screen. A physician has a second tablet that shows information about the tasks the patient was asked to perform.

 

3. NeuroMapper captures video of a patient's responses and behaviors and records the accuracy and length of time it takes a patient to respond. The app is designed to streamline surgery and reduce the amount of time a patient spends in the operating room.

 

4. Traditionally, patients are shown a series of flashcards during awake brain surgery and physicians are expected to track a patient's responses and behaviors.

 

5. Froedtert Hospital began using the app in October 2016 and since it has been used in more than 35 surgeries. Additionally, the app is undergoing beta testing in various hospitals across the U.S. It is expected to be available for general distribution in winter 2018.

 

 

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