Magnet determines exact location of tumours

Sirius Medical, located at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, launches a non-radioactive localization system for the improvement of breast cancer surgery. The exact location of the tumour is being marked by a very small implantable ‘seed’  in which, amongst other things, a small magnet of Goudsmit is present. This treatment causes less damage of surrounding tissue and is less stressful for the patient.

Very small tumours

The advantage for surgeons is that they can treat very small tumours at an early stage. Up till now, surgeons use metal anchor wires or radioactive seeds to localize tumours and soft tissue. This is not pleasant for patients and poses logistical challenges. Many hospitals refrain from using radioactive seeds because of the related safety protocols. Besides this, treatment can be done faster and more affordable.

Tumour localization

The system is called Pintuition and consists of a needle, a seed –in which the magnet is placed- and a detection system. The seed can be placed up to 180 days before the surgery to mark a target within soft tissue. During surgery, the Sirius Pintuition Probe provides highly accurate, real-time feedback and directional guidance to the marked tissue. The probe is reusable and compatible with metal instruments that are commonly used during surgery. The strong neodymium magnet has the size of a rice grain and has a coating to prevent corrosion.

The demands Sirius Medical has made with regard to tolerance and quality of the magnet are very strickt and precisely recorded in measurement protocols and reports. Because of the IATF16949 certification, Goudsmit was selected as supplier.