In the early 1980s, Cleveland Clinic neurosurgeon Gene Barnett, MD, MBA, had an “aha” moment when he saw an advertisement for a 3-D digitizer and envisioned how the technology could be used to map brain tumors. The ultimate result was his invention of the first of the frameless, freehand neuronavigation systems that have since become the standard used around the world for brain and spine surgery.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
That invention, together with Dr. Barnett’s instrumental role in developing laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) for brain tumors a decade ago, are the foundation for his newly announced selection as recipient of Cleveland Clinic’s 2017 Sones Innovation Award.
Dr. Barnett, who is Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center, was presented the award March 21, 2018, by Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic, MD. The annual honor recognizes achievements that reflect the spirit of pioneering Cleveland Clinic cardiologist F. Mason Sones, MD, to advance the Cleveland Clinic tradition of innovation to improve patient care.
This three-and-a-half-minute video profiles the neuronavigation advancements that earned Dr. Barnett this honor as well as the boundless commitment to patients that fuels his innovative spirit.
New program provides prehabilitation and rehabilitation services to help patients with cancer maintain and regain function
First-of-its-kind research investigates the viability of standard screening to reduce the burden of late-stage cancer diagnoses
Global R&D efforts expanding first-line and relapse therapy options for patients
Study demonstrates ability to reduce patients’ reliance on phlebotomies to stabilize hematocrit levels
A case study on the value of access to novel therapies through clinical trials
Findings highlight an association between obesity and an increased incidence of moderate-severe disease
Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute takes multi-faceted approach to increasing clinical trial access