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Intra – Operative Monitoring Equipment

Target: £5,899.50

Diaphragm Pacing Devices

Target: £41,000.00

This exciting new technology is another UK first for Neurocare.

Although it is currently being used in the USA and a few centres in continental Europe, we will be the first centre to bring it to the UK to use it for the benefit of patients here in Sheffield. 

The diaphragm pacing technology will be used to help patients who experience breathlessness due to muscle weakness, as a result of diseases such as motor neurone disease.

Patients currently have to use various forms of breathing machines or ventilators. This would mean an individual having to be connected to the breathing machine, limiting their ability to get around. It's hoped that diaphragm pacing stimulation will improve the situation for such patients.

It uses a technique that was initially developed for the treatment of respiratory muscle weakness in patients with spinal cord injury. In this patient group it has allowed patients to reduce their time on breathing machines/ventilators or even remove the need for these machines altogether. The actor Christopher Reeve benefited from using diaphragm pacing following his tragic accident.

What is a Diaphragm Pacing Device?

It consists of a small box the patient can carry about anywhere. From the box wires pass through the skin into the main breathing muscle at the bottom of the chest called the diaphragm. The pacing system provides stimulus to the muscles which causes them to contract strongly, thus improving an individual's breathing. 

Mytobii Communication Aid

Target: £15,000.00

We are lucky in Sheffield to have a dedicated Neuro High Dependency Unit. This ward is where the patients are so ill that they need one to one nursing. The technology to run this ward is immense. Our aim is to raise a minimum of £20,000 per year so we can fund equipment to enhance the very specialised care which they require.  We also invest in the training of nursing and technical staff.

In 2008 we want to fund a Mytobii Communication Aid. Communication with critical care patients is very difficult and is often limited to gesturing, mouthing and alphabet charts.  These devices are time consuming and frustrating to both patient and carer.  It is clear that poor communication causes anxiety in patients. Effective communication leads to improvements in the quality of care for patients, reduces anxiety and enables the patient to become involved in decisions about their care.

The Mytobii Communication Aid allows the patient to communicate through eye movements with a tablet PC. This integrated PC allows verbal communication with staff and relatives as well as internet and mobile phone access.

To see a videoclip of Mytobii in use, click on the YouTube link below:

http://www.youtube.com/user/mobiletobii. 

Laser Capture Microdissection Unit - research fundraising in Sheffield

Target: £125,000.00

Why do some people get Motor Neurone Disease while others develop Parkinson’s Disease or Alzheimer’s and some don’t get any nervous system disease at all?

Researchers in Sheffield are trying to identify the causes of common neurological degenerative diseases by comparing healthy cells with diseased ones. In doing so, they hope to identify a cure for this group of diseases which has a devastating impact on both the affected person and their families.

Research has been slow because of the lack of technology in this area. Scientists need 1000 cells from each tissue sample to identify what’s going wrong in the nerve cells of patients. To date they have had to harvest these cells individually and by hand which requires a great deal of time and manpower.

Neurocare wants to help this vital work to try to find a cure for these terrible diseases by funding a new piece of equipment called a Laser Capture Micro Dissection Unit. This will be the first machine of its kind in the UK used to investigate neurological disease.

The Department here in Sheffield is at the forefront of this type of research and urgently need our support. The equipment we want to fund is unique and has a number of advanced features:-

The Cell Laser Capture System allows scientists to harvest cells with unprecedented speed and precision. It is able to identify cells according to criteria set by the controller, and then automatically isolates the cells without further intervention.

• It pulls out specific cells linked to degenerative diseases.
• This machine does the job of 20 people; those people are then freed up to do other things.
• Treatments available to date only alleviate symptoms; they do not cure the illness. Scientists already know there will not be a one cure fits all drug. They want to develop disease specific treatments and this equipment will help them in their search for answers
• Breast cancer research has been significantly enhanced by CLCS technology and Herceptin was created directly from research using this type of machine.

The Skull Base Endoscope.

Target: £70,000.00

Do you remember Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie Total Recall removing an alien device out of the base of his brain through his nose?   

The skull base endoscope, supplied by Karl-Storz, is the latest in equipment to enable life-saving keyhole brain surgery to be done up through the nose.  Facial cuts are avoided.  Surgical time is often shortened.  Hospital stay for patients is days rather than weeks. The sort of tumours that would benefit from the use of such equipment are of the pituitary gland and tumours/cancers involving the base of skull underneath the brain, behind the eyes, and the roof of the nose.   

The equipment includes endoscopes to be inserted up the nose to provide vision with a self-cleaning ‘windscreen’ system allowing the surgeon to get up close and personal to the tumour he is removing.  The endoscopes can be angled also allowing the surgeon to look around corners into the brain cavity without having to remove normal bone/tissues, as would be the case with traditional surgery to improve access.  The surgeon and indeed the whole operating theatre team watch the progress of the operation through high quality flat screen monitors.  Pictures of the surgery can be recorded so that aspects of the operation can be explained to the patient afterwards.  The equipment also includes specialised surgical instruments that have had to be specifically redesigned for this new way of working. Traditional neurosurgical instruments such as dissectors, micro-scissors, and drills, have all been modified so as to be able to be passed up and used through the nostrils.   

This equipment is not a solution for all brain tumours but for those people that it benefits, the surgeon can avoid going through the head cavity minimising brain manipulation and the associated risks of brain swelling/stroke.  The surgery also reduces the risk of the patient having to loose their driver’s licence for an extended period because of the risk otherwise of epilepsy associated with a surgical approach through the side of the head.  

By Tom Carroll, Clinical Lead Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

Mr Showkat Mirza BMedSci, FRCS(ORL-HNS), Connsultant in Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Anterior Skull Base Surgery at The Royal hallamshire Hospital recently snet Neurocare the following message:

"Hi Heather Burrell & Neurocare

Just a quick note to say thank you so much for the new stack screen and instruments

We performed an endoscopic closure of cerebrospinal fluid leak on Monday. This is when brain fluid is leaking from the brain space into the nose and predisposes to meningitis. In the past this operation was done by a craniotomy but nowadays it is done up the nose with endoscopes.

 Today we performed an endoscopic removal of pituitary lesion.  The Stack provided an excellent image aiding the success of the procedures"

Further proof if needed of what a fantastic piece of equipment the endoscope is.

Telemetry Equipment for patients with Epilepsy in Sheffield

Target: £24,000.00

Neurocare wants to fund a set of Telemetry equipment. What is this?

Our telemetry unit is the only one of its kind in the UK outside London. It is an in patient facility with four beds where patients with medically resistant epilepsy are assessed with a view to surgical treatment. It is also used for patients with undiagnosed episodic attacks including epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a debilitating disease. People with epilepsy have to live with the problem of having seizures at any time of the day or night. Seizures often come without warning and can cause huge problems in their day to day lives.

Patients can spend up to a week wired up to the video telemetry machine. This gives surgeons and neurologists detailed records of brain activity over a long period. From this information decisions are made about which patients which benefit from surgery.

90% of patients have their seizures controlled or stopped completely after receiving this treatment. Surgeons have a clearer picture about when to operate and stop seizures all together.

Neurocare is committed to supporting this work.

Sonowand 3D ultrasound scanner - Sheffield Brainwave Appeal

Target: £500,000.00

The Brainwave Appeal finished early in 2008. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported it. We thought you might like to see what the equipment looks like. Two machines are installed and in regular use in the Neurosurgery Operating Theatres at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital - making a real difference to the lives of people with brain tumours. The third, for Sheffield Children's Hospital was installed at the end of 2008.

This groundbreaking equipment allows the neurosurgeon to see the brain in 3D. Its been described as being a bit like satellite navigation for the brain! The surgeon scans the brain at regular intervals throughout the procedure giving updated images of the tumour he is trying to remove. Previously he could only see the top of the tumour. With Sonowand he can see where it is going and how much is still left.

Feedback on the Sonowand.

David Jellinek Constant neurosurgeon RHH: Lead for South Yorkshire Neuro Oncology MDT writes:-

"Through the generosity of the local population in supporting ‘Neurocare’, Sheffield neurosurgeons are recognised as National leaders in pioneering an advanced brain imaging tool that has made brain surgery for patients with brain tumours, blood vessel malformations and hydrocephalus easier for the surgeon and therefore safer and better for patients. Neurocare had the foresight in 2006 to fund purchase of the UK’s first intraoperative live 3D brain scanner using ultrasound to generate pictures of the brain during brain surgery. The technology was designed and pioneered in Norway, and Sheffield surgeons visited Norway in 2006 to see its benefits in action. The surgeons immediately recognised its potential and thanks to Neurocare the first of 3 intraoperative scanners was brought to Sheffield in October 2006. The first patient was so grateful to have her brain tumour operated using this new technology that she volunteered to make a star appearance on local TV and in the local press. Subsequent to the Sonowand being introduced to Sheffield it has been used on a regular basis (sometimes twice a day) on patients undergoing brain tumour surgery. Mr Jellinek (the lead brain tumour surgeon for South Yorkshire) has kept a careful record of the value of the technology in helping his surgery, and following presentations to his colleagues in the UK, Sonowand systems have gone into neurosurgical units in London and Birmingham, and are being considered for Edinburgh and Newcastle. Sheffield has also been put on the World map as a pioneering brain surgery centre (because of the Sonowand) by presentations internationally (USA, Australia, Germany, Japan, Turkey) by Mr Jellinek to international brain tumour meetings.”  

Glidescope

Target: £11,000.00

Neurocare has now funded the purchase of  two amazing new devices, called  Glidescopes. These videolaryngoscopes enable the anaesthetist to have a much improved view of the larynx, which is necessary for placement of the “breathing” tube for surgical and Intensive Care patients. Using traditional metal instruments it is necessary to extend the patient’s neck to obtain any view of the larynx and in many patients this may not produce a good view of the larynx.

With the new technology of the Glidescope the head remains in a neutral position, reducing strain on the vertebrae and discs, and the embedded video camera provides a wide, clear view of the larynx. Insertion of the breathing tube is much easier even in previously “difficult to intubate” patients.

Learning to use the Glidescope is very easy. Some months ago 2 anaesthetists were struggling to intubate a patient in the High Dependency Unit, using conventional techniques. Neither had seen the Glidescope before but their technician had seen it used and when they inserted it they were able to see the larynx and insert a breathing tube, allowing the patient to receive much-needed oxygen …..another life saved! Its use has helped save at least two more patients already in life-threatening situations. We continue to use this revolutionary device and hope that more will be available soon for other areas within the Neuro Unit.

Jan Mundy Consultant Neuroanaesthetist.

Pan Optic Opthalmoscope for Sheffield hospitals

Target: £600.00

NEUROCARE have funded the purchase of a Pan Optic Opthalmoscope - which is almost easier to use than it is to pronounce! This clever little gadget is a state of the art opthalmoscope which magnifies much more than the average one. It will allow clinicians to examine patients’ eyes and have a field of view 5 times larger than you can see with standard scopes.

This pan optic opthalmoscope will be used on a daily basis by both neurosurgeons and neuromedical staff when they examine patients, looking for signs of swelling of the brain due to brain tumours or strokes. Our staff are absolutely delighted to have such a wonderful piece of equipment to help them in their diagnoses

Parker Bath for Sheffield Royal Hallamshire Hospital N2 Ward

Target: £3,700.00

Thanks to people like you supporting Neurocare patients on Ward N2 can now enjoy a whole new bathing experience. Neurocare has part funded an Arjo Parker Bath which allows patients to get in by simply sliding onto the seat and then the side of the bath is closed. It means that less mobile patients can now have a bath without the help of a hoist. Once the patient is in the bath, it is filled with water and then it can be tipped back to give them a really comfortable relaxing soak. All the feedback we’ve had so far is that they absolutely love it!

Many thanks to Staff Nurse Naomi Ellis for being our model.

Bladder Scanner

Target: £8,000.00

This amazing machine is also urgently needed for patients on Hallamshire Ward N1. It measures the volume of the bladder and the quantity of residual urine by non-invasive methods and provides clear and accurate images.

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common hospital acquired infections and in some cases may be avoided by unnecessary catheterisation. By using a bladder scanner nurses can diagnose whether there is a urinary retention or bladder dysfunction and prevent inappropriate catheterisation, thus making life more comfortable for patients.

Assessment of Solitary Intracranial Mass

Target: £30,000.00

This research project is designed to investigate whether state of the art MR Imaging using sophisticated techniques that allow the researcher to measure the blood supply and biochemistry of the brain improve the diagnostic information given by the imaging to the neurosurgeon who has then to decide with the patients on the best course of treatment. The early support of Neurocare after the installation of one of the first 3T MR scanners in the UK during 2003 provided Sheffield with the first clinical brain tumour imaging service at 3T in the UK for study participants. 3T scanners are the latest generation of scanners for MR imaging of the brain and are able to produce higher resolution imaging quicker and more accurate biochemical and blood supply information than is possible at the normal strength of MR scanners, 1.5T, which have been available over the last couple of decades. The images shown here have been supplied with the consent of the patients and illustate the use of perfusion imaging that demonstrates the blood supply to the brain. They can be used to help guide the surgeon to where to take biopsies from.

Nigel Hoggard, Clinical Senior Lecturer/Honorary Consultant Neuroradiologist supplied the above information and was pleased to have an opportunity 'to thank Neurocare and the people who work so hard for it for their invaluable support'.

Vigileo Monitor

Target: £3,500.00

Neurocare have funded a Vigileo Monitor for the Neuro ITU Unit. This amazing little machine monitors cardiac output using pulse contour analysis, giving an estimate of systemic vascular resistance. It will also be used to measure jugular venus saturation. This is important because it helps to maintain cerebral perfusion for patients with neurological damage.

Cough Assist Machine

Target: £8,000.00

Neurocare has bought two specialist cough assist machines for the Sheffield Care and Research Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.   The machines will help MND patients to cough without the help of physiotherapists.  Patients will be able to take the machines home, allowing them to deal more effectively with the symptoms that MND can cause.

Nurses working in the department were delighted to have two additional machines to offer to patients. ‘The cough assist machine is absolutely fantastic,’ said Hannah Nixon, ‘It gives patients back some control over one very important aspect of their lives and prevents them having to spend time in hospital – time which is very precious to them.  It gives them a way of managing their own symptoms independently, in an illness where they lose nearly all control.  Not only does it give them peace of mind, knowing that they can clear their own airway unaided, it means that they can be more comfortable and have a much better quality of life.’

Transcranial Doppler Machine

Target: £24,000.00

This equipment is used in the stroke unit of the Neurology Department for patients at risk of strokes. It is used to measure intracranial blood flow in patients undergoing stroke prevention procedures and also as a diagnostic tool for younger stroke patients who may have patent foramen ovale - a form of hole on the heart that predisposes stroke.

Feedback on the Transcranial Doppler Machine.

Graham Venables, Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Director Neurosciences write:

‘Neurocare have helped the Neurology Department by providing a state of the art imaging machine (Transcranial Doppler ultrasound imaging) that allows visualisation of blood flow in the arteries of the brain. This tells us immediately, without the patient feeling any discomfort, whether the major arteries are blocked or narrowed and can be used to help select those who might benefit from the use of clot dissolving drugs and whether the drug has been successful in clearing the blocked artery and restoring blood supply to the brain. It is also vital in determining the cause of stroke in younger patients who have abnormal hearts and is used to monitor people who are having corrective surgery for arterial narrowing (carotid endarterectomy). Finally it makes certain forms of brain surgery safer in that it can be used to identify people who might be at risk of stroke when they operated in certain positions for example sitting up.’