Neurosurgical patients at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) are benefiting from a revolutionary orbital camera, which provides neurosurgeons with state-of-the-art 3D views of the brain and spine during surgery.

Thanks to a grant from the Denise Coates Foundation through UHNM Charity, UHNM has become the first NHS Trust in the Midlands to have installed the ORBEYE system.

ORBEYE allows neurosurgeons to move on from traditional ocular microscopes and instead operate from a large 4K monitor in real-time.

Using powerful magnification coupled with 3D technology, ORBEYE allows surgeons to better see the finest anatomical structures in deep parts of the brain by beaming them onto a large screen.

Lisa Sharrock from Leek was one of the first patients to be operated on using the ORBEYE camera system.

The 53-year-old healthcare worker said: "In June I was told the devastating news that I had Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). I had a left-sided weakness and could not walk."

"The only option was to remove the tumour as safely as possible. I was only in hospital for two days and am very, very grateful to the surgeons, anaesthetists and all the UHNM staff for getting through the operation and being so wonderful to me."

Miss Erminia Albanese, Consultant Neurosurgeon at UHNM said: "ORBEYE is a leap into the next generation of surgical technology. Our existing microscopes give just 2D images, but ORBEYE enables our neurosurgeons to see minute detail in fantastic 3D, improving efficiency and safety during critical parts of surgery.

"Being able to view surgery on a large screen also reduces stress and fatigue on our surgeons, who would previously spent hours bent over a traditional microscope looking down the eyepiece."

ORBEYE also allows others to see exactly what the surgeon is seeing in real time, allowing for clinical discussions between clinicians as well as being a valuable teaching tool.

Lisa Thomson, Director of Communications and Charity at UHNM said: "We are extremely grateful for the support of the Denise Coates Foundation. They funded a range of activities during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to help us enhance and develop the best care possible. Their funding continues to make a significant difference to both the lives of our staff and our patients."