The Committee have received a number of nominations for Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS), for a range of indications. MRgFUS is a minimally invasive alternative to surgery for cancer of the brain, liver, breast and prostate and for the management of uterine fibroids and pain from bone metastases. Transcranial MRgFUS is an alternative to deep brain stimulation for patients with medication resistant Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia.
The Committee recommended that additional advice on these technologies should be sought.
The Committee advised the technology was not new to the NSW public system.
In 2018, an update was received regarding a fluorescence imaging system to enable surgeons to visualise perfusion in burns tissue intraoperatively. The imaging system is under clinical trial to assess whether it allows for increased accuracy in predicting tissue viability.
In 2019, an update was received for an adjunct to mammogram, used to biopsy lesions that may be cancerous and may require open surgery as they are in difficult to reach locations. The TGA recalled this technology in 2017 due to issues with device installation, which were addressed prior to the update being submitted.
In 2019, an update was received for a machine vision image guidance system used to map the spine or cranial cavity during neurosurgery.
In 2019, an update was received on the use of combined MRI images for radiotherapy treatment instead of CT images. This was included in the scope for a planned evidence review on diagnostic imaging to be completed by the HTRG.
In 2019, an update was received on a combined linear accelerator and MRI machine which may improve the provision of radiotherapy. This was included in the scope for a planned evidence review on diagnostic imaging to be completed by the HTRG.
In 2017, an update was received for particle therapy, which may deliver more accurate doses of radiation for radiotherapy treatment when compared to conventional radiotherapy.
In 2019, an update was received for a device used to photograph the back of the eye to identify changes in intracranial blood pressure that may be associated with stroke.
In 2019, an update was received for software used on a standard linear accelerator to assess prostate position during radiotherapy for treatment of prostate cancer.
In 2018, an update was received for an alternative diagnostic procedure for patients with previous negative transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy who continue to have increasing levels of prostate serum antigen.
The Ministry sought additional information on this technology from the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, which highlighted changes in the detection, diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer over the past decade. NSW Health is undertaking a review of methods to detect and diagnose prostate cancer.
Considered to be an Information and Communications Technology.
New health technology enquiries can be emailed to: MOH-HealthTechNominations@health.nsw.gov.au