Patients’ Frequently Asked Questions
GE InstaTrak Benefits
InstaTrak uses advanced medical technology to allow surgeons to visualize your anatomy and the position of surgical instruments during both routine and life-critical procedures. An important benefit of InstaTrak is the ability to visualize surgical instruments without a large incision, enabling less invasive treatment options for many conditions. Minimally invasive procedures require only a small incision, which can mean a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery for the patient.
How will I know if my surgeon is using InstaTrak during my procedure?
The InstaTrak system is typically used to support procedures during which the patient is sedated or administered general anesthesia. To learn about InstaTrak and other technologies, patients should ask their doctors prior to their procedure.
What did surgeons do before surgical navigation technology was available?
Without surgical navigation, surgeons generally have to create larger incisions to see directly into the patient's body and visualize the location of their instruments. In some cases, as with brain surgery, large incisions are not always possible.
How long will my procedure take?
The length of surgical procedures varies and will be determined by your surgeon. In many cases, GE's InstaTrak surgical navigation technology can help reduce procedure time by allowing the surgeon better visualization throughout the procedure.
Will imaging technology be used during my procedure?
Medical images produced by CT, MRI and X-ray systems are taken prior to your procedure to create an anatomical "roadmap" for the InstaTrak surgical navigation system. Your surgeon may also choose to use real-time imaging techniques, such as Fluoroscopy, during your procedure. To learn more, please ask your doctor about the different imaging technologies, their characteristics and which, if any, will be used
