The Ultimate "Think Tank"

We’re back for season two and this time, trying to wrap our brains around neurosurgery with Alex Spiotta, M.D., the division director of neuroendovascular surgery at MUSC.

Leader of the ultimate “think tank,” Dr. Spiotta leads the Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry (STAR). A global collection of collaborating neurosurgeons, STAR allows doctors to call a colleague from anywhere around the world on their phone or iPad and virtually join the operating room in high definition. Like a "Facetime" call, doctors are able to see and hear what’s going on in the operating room, including the doctors’ hands actively performing brain surgery. Listen in as we discuss technology that will blow your mind!

00:00 The Start

01:32 Dr. Spiotta joins the show

04:50 Understanding STAR’s collaboration network

07:09 Using the STAR network to globally call into the operating room

13:09 Watching “game film” to improve skills  

17:50 The immediacy of impact  

20:05 What is the big picture of where STAR is heading

22:52 Using robotics and the “batcave” to bring equipment to trauma patients

Learn more about innovation at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) by visiting: https://web.musc.edu/innovation