UMass Memorial Medical Center:
First in U.S. to Use FORS Technology

The UMass Memorial Medical Center Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery is the first in the United States to perform minimally invasive complex aortic aneurysm repair with a new technology that uses fiber optic cable imaging instead of X-ray radiation. Fiber Optic RealShape (FORS), developed by Philips, markedly reduces radiation doses during endovascular procedures making it safer for the patient and the care team.

close up of procedure

UMass Memorial Medical Center is the only hospital in the United States with FORS capability. FORS is expected to become the standard for complex minimally invasive endovascular aortic treatment.

procedure on screen Fiber Optic RealShape technology is the beginning of a new era in device guidance where clinicians aren’t as dependent on high doses of radiation to complete these complex repairs. Studies are ongoing, but preliminary findings using FORS have claimed to have observed as much as 50% fluoroscopy reduction. FORS enables 3D visualization of wires, catheters, and medical devices inside the body without the need for continuous X-ray imaging, providing an extra layer of safety for the patient and clinicians in the long term.

Interestingly, the aneurysm in the second patient treated with FORS was discovered using the UMass Memorial Program for Aortic Screening and Surveillance. This program leverages natural language recognition software to scan our electronic medical records in order to identify incidentally found aneurysms that a patient may not be aware of.

“FORS technology is a critical step toward moving away from our dependence on X‑rays and radiation, while providing safe and effective minimally invasive treatments.”

-Andres Schanzer, MD, FACS, Chief, Division of Vascular Surgery

Use of the FORS navigation system for cannulation of the celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, left renal artery, and right renal artery during a four-vessel fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair. All four cannulations were performed without any X-ray.

6 minutes of total radiation

Our first patient was a 71-year-old male patient diagnosed with a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. He underwent a fenestrated endovascular aortic repair in our state-of-the-art hybrid operating room. The procedure was successful. Using FORS, the patient and operative team were exposed to minimal radiation (six minutes of total radiation versus hours of typical exposure). The patient, a former engineer, is currently doing very well, is very pleased with his care, and went home on post-op day one.

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UMass Memorial Medical Center:First in U.S. to Use FORS Technology

6 minutes of total radiation

UMass Memorial Medical Center:
First in U.S. to Use FORS Technology