The ability to see can often be taken for granted. We rely on our vision at work and at play, but for health providers trying to detect healthy tissue inside the body, a visual examination often is limited to two-dimensional scans. However, with the aid of computer technology, the view is getting better.

Guided by infrared optics and three-dimensional imaging, the Stealth Station System provides a virtual tour of a patient's head or spine.

"Health care providers are using the StealthStation System to view the exact surgical area from a variety of perspectives on a video screen. Through this technology, the surgeon may be able to more accurately guide treatment or pinpoint a problem," says Alexandra Briceño, assistant director of neurosurgery at Sierra Medical Center.

The StealthStation allows physicians to use intropic navigation–a process that shows their real-time position and path during surgery. The system uses specialized surgical probes placed in or on the patient's head or spine. These optical probes transmit infrared light to a camera, creating a three-dimensional "map" of the patient's head or spine, which can help guide the surgeon along the planned surgical course.This allows the surgeon to create a "map" of the patient's anatomy by tracking the position of these probes during surgery.

For more information on stealth technology at Sierra Medical Center and Providence Memorial Hospital, call the consumer information line at (915) 577-6000.