* Decrease in needle placement and procedure time
* Decrease in complications
* Increase in accuracy

"The system also helps distract anxious patients during the procedure by giving them something to focus on other than the needle," says Dr. Carlson. "By using this device, patients become less focused on the procedure and the possible discomfort associated with it."


The Mayo team anticipates that there will be additional applications for the Interactive Breath-hold Control in the future, including solitary pulmonary nodule enhancement studies, other dynamic perfusion studies, tumor ablation procedures, intratumoral injections, PET/CT scanning, radiation therapy, and possibly even robotic interventional procedures.

"This entire effort represents a great collaboration between a team of Mayo clinicians and engineers with the goal of improving patient care," says Claire Bender, M.D., Mayo Clinic radiologist. "This device has improved patient care and changed our practice."

The Mayo Clinic team traveled to Munich, Germany earlier this year to work with German physicians on product testing and implementation. "The response from patients and physicians in Germany was extremely positive," says James Potter, Director of Mayo Clinic Medical Devices. "This entire project strongly reflects the Mayo brothers' mission to inspire innovation and technology that truly benefits patient care."

According to Potter, the Interactive Breath-hold Control, "Is another example of Mayo Clinic developing medical devices that are patient centered, high quality, and on the cusp of cutting-edge technology."



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