Esaote Enters Neurosurgery with Launch of I-Genius Intraoperative MRI System
Esaote has made its debut in neurosurgery with the introduction of I-Genius, an innovative open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system engineered to support real-time visualization during brain tumour operations. The system was presented at the 25th Annual Congress of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) in Vienna, where Esaote hosted a symposium titled “Expertise Meets Innovation: Why the I-Genius MRI Solution Will Change Neurosurgery.”
Developed through collaboration between Esaote’s R&D teams and leading neurosurgeons, I-Genius was designed to address long-standing challenges in glioma surgery, where accurate tumour removal is critical to improving patient survival. Gliomas account for around 81% of all malignant brain tumours, and their most aggressive subtype, glioblastoma, represents approximately 45% of cases, with a five-year survival rate near 5%. Because tumour tissue is often difficult to distinguish from healthy brain matter, incomplete resection can lead to rapid recurrence.
Traditional imaging methods, such as CT or ultrasound, have limitations in intraoperative use—CT exposes patients to ionizing radiation, while ultrasound offers only a limited field of view. Conventional intraoperative MRI systems, often based on closed-magnet designs, are complex and costly to operate, prolonging surgery and increasing patient risk. Esaote’s I-Genius aims to overcome these limitations with a compact, open MRI configuration tailored for neurosurgical environments.
The I-Genius platform features a dedicated surgical table and MRI-compatible accessories that allow patients to remain in position throughout the operation. Surgeons can acquire MRI scans at multiple stages of the procedure to confirm the extent of tumour removal before closing, reducing the need for repeat surgeries. According to Dr. Roberto Herrera, Chief of Neurosurgery at Clinica Adventista Belgrano in Buenos Aires, the system “allows the surgeon to verify outcomes in real time and proceed with confidence, ensuring maximal safe resection while preserving neurological function.”
Esaote CEO Franco Fontana described I-Genius as a major step forward in the company’s evolution, highlighting its combination of technological innovation, clinical collaboration, and accessibility. With I-Genius, Esaote brings a sustainable, neurosurgery-specific MRI solution to market—offering the potential to improve surgical precision, reduce operative complexity, and enhance outcomes for patients with brain tumours.
