Medtronic Cranial Navigation System – StealthStation™ S8 with Cranial Software | Neurosurgery Precision & Real-Time Guidance

The Medtronic Cranial Navigation System, incorporating the StealthStation™ S8 platform together with its advanced Cranial (Synergy/Stealth) Software, sets the standard in image-guided neurosurgery. Engineered to deliver unmatched accuracy, seamless workflow, and robust integration, this system empowers surgeons for cranial procedures including tumor resections, biopsies, deep brain stimulation (DBS) lead placements, catheter and shunt placements, skull base operations, and many more.

Key Features & Benefits

Dual-Modality Tracking (Optical & Electromagnetic)
The system supports both optical (infrared) and electromagnetic (EM) tracking technologies, enabling highly precise instrument localization even in challenging surgical conditions. The EM mode option is particularly useful for pinless procedures and where a line-of-sight optical tracker may be obstructed.

Preoperative & Intraoperative Imaging Integration
StealthStation™ S8 integrates with intraoperative imaging systems such as CT, MRI (iCT/iMRI), C-arm, and Medtronic’s O-arm™ surgical imaging system, providing real-time, three-dimensional view of patient anatomy. This supports dynamic image fusion and updates during surgery. 

Advanced Registration & Planning
Multiple registration methods are available: fiducial (point)-based, surface-trace, touch/trace, automatic registration with imaging (e.g., O-arm), and exam-to-exam fusion. Surgeons can plan and simulate multiple trajectories in three dimensions, set targets and verify them during surgery.

Real-Time Surgical Guidance
Instruments tracked in real time; the system visualizes instrument motion relative to anatomical images. This guidance supports critical procedures including DBS lead placement, depth electrode placement, shunt insertion, tumor resections etc., improving precision and safety. 

User-Friendly Interface & Efficient Workflow
The S8 platform includes large, high-definition (HD) touchscreens, intuitive controls (multi-touch gestures, procedural task flows), and customizable display layouts. Surgeons’ preferences and common workflows can be configured for speed and efficiency. 

Instrument & Device Integration

Compatible with and integrates external devices including surgical microscopes (e.g. Leica, Zeiss), endoscopes, ultrasound probes, and more. These integrations allow surgical teams to view overlay images, probe anatomy, and manage brain shifts intraoperatively. 

Accuracy & Validation
The system is cleared for use in cranial procedures requiring precise localization of anatomical structures. Regulatory filings (510(k)) show that the StealthStation Cranial Software demonstrates positional error often well under 2.0 mm and angular trajectory error under 2.0 degrees in worst-case configurations. In many typical use scenarios, even better accuracy is achieved.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance
Built with safety in mind. All hardware and software adhere to high standards for medical device safety and accuracy. The product is intended for use in open or percutaneous neurosurgical procedures in which rigid anatomical landmarks are available. 

Indications & Clinical Applications

The Medtronic Cranial Navigation System is indicated as an aid for precisely locating anatomical structures in cranial neurosurgery, including but not limited to:

Brain tumor resections

Stereotactic biopsies

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) lead placement

Depth electrode recording

Ventricular catheter and shunt placements (adult & pediatric)

Skull base surgery, transsphenoidal approaches

Repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks

Craniotomies / craniectomies … etc.

Technical Specifications (Highlights)

High-definition touchscreens (dual displays) for real-time visualization

Large tracking volume for both optical and EM emitters to accommodate flexible OR layouts 

Substantial onboard memory and storage (RAM + solid-state drives) suitable for handling volumetric imaging data sets 

Connectivity: DICOM import/export, network/intraoperative imaging device interoperability 

Why Choose Medtronic’s StealthStation™ S8 Cranial Navigation

Proven track record: Decades of usage in neurosurgery globally, with millions of patients benefiting from Stealth technologies.

Improved surgical outcomes: Enhanced accuracy reduces the risk of damage to healthy tissue, shortens operative time, and can improve postoperative recovery.

Flexibility: Suitable for a wide range of cranial procedures and adaptable to diverse surgical settings and OR equipment.

Efficiency: Streamlined registration, intuitive interface, and integrated devices reduce procedural overhead.

Future-ready design: Capable of upgrades, integration with newer imaging modalities, and continuous software improvements.