Migraines alleviated by Botox injections

Dr. Daniel Bratbak has invented an injection that was developed by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), called MultiGuide, which is a high precision instrument used to inject Botox in neural structures successfully today. Researchers from SINTEF are developing an easy to use guidance system that inform surgeons where exactly is the MultiGuide needle situated.

Christian Askeland, researcher from SINTEC insists on the fact that while injecting such toxins into a neural ganglion, a surgeon should definitely have the most accurate image-assisted intervention. He considers that: “It is vital to carry out the injection to an accuracy of 5 millimeters or less, and preferably within 1 millimeter of the intended target point. Access to a screen display is thus a prerequisite for using the instrument.”

While Dr. Bratbak continued his work at St. Olav’s Hospital, he started to alleviate migraines by injecting the botulinum neurotoxin, known as Botox, in the “center” that is responsible of producing these migraines. Migraine symptoms are reduced or disappear for 3 to 9 months, after which the patient is scheduled for a new injection. To better guide the injection Bratbak had the idea of connecting an iPhone to the MultiGuide, so he could have a screen right in his line of vision.

Meanwhile, researchers from SINTEC are still working on better visualization systems that will guide the needle even better or at least they want to assemble the whole system in a single tool. Today migraine patients are being treated with an improved MultiGuide that displays the precise location of the needle on an iPhone at the Neurosurgical Department in St. Olav’s Hospital. In the future, migraine patients could be treated in any clinic where a neurologist can perform the procedure.

Migraines alleviated by Botox injections