Progress | HSC Foundation Operation Excellence

As donors step forward with support for Operation Excellence, HSC is in a position to start purchasing and deploying new, state-of-the-art surgical and diagnostic equipment, and developing new spaces for surgery and patient care. Follow this page to learn more about some of the developments made possible by your support and support from the community.

Upgrading equipment, spaces, and systems

Elekta Esprit Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery Unit

A Gamma Knife is a high-precision device used to treat brain tumours, vascular malformations, and other brain disorders with targeted doses of gamma radiation—eliminating the need for incisions and open surgery for many patients. The radiation is delivered in a highly concentrated manner, minimizing the risk of damage to healthy tissue. HSC was the first hospital in Canada to acquire a Gamma Knife system in 2003. The new Elekta Esprit, acquired through HSC Foundation's Operation Excellence campaign, represents a major advancement in the technology.

Posted: January 19, 2026

Technology

Da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System

The da Vinci Xi Surgical System is Manitoba’s first surgical robot and is currently in use at HSC across thoracic surgery, gynecologic cancer surgery, and urology. The machine has four surgical arms operated by highly sensitive controls. The unit’s high-definition, three-dimensional visualization allows surgeons to achieve remarkable precision and reach parts of the anatomy not easily accessible with traditional hand-held surgical instruments.

Posted: April 28, 2025

Technology

Stryker Q-Guidance System

The Stryker Q-Guidance system with the Ziehm intraoperative 3D imaging system provides advanced technologies to enhance precision and accuracy during spinal surgery. This approach combines real-time imaging, navigation systems, and three-dimensional visualization to help surgeons make more informed decisions. This technology will allow surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures, better navigate complex spine anatomy, and improve patient care at HSC—Manitoba’s hospital.

Posted: February 1, 2024

Technology

Facial nerve monitor

A facial nerve monitor is used during surgery to protect facial nerves. Electrodes placed on the patient’s face measure the electrical signals emitted by the nerves. This real-time, precise information helps the surgeon avoid problem areas during facial surgery, thereby preventing permanent damage to the patient’s facial nerves which could affect a patient’s function and appearance.

Posted: July 6, 2023

Technology

ICG-capable endoscopy towers

This new generation of ICG-capable endoscopy tower gives HSC’s surgeons an unprecedented view of a patient’s blood vessels as they diagnose and treat a variety of conditions. ICG (indocyanine green) is a cyanine dye that is injected into the bloodstream. The dye produces a glow that can be seen through a patient’s tissues when a special light is shone on it. With remarkable clarity, surgeons can diagnose vascular issues, perform vascular surgery, and administer certain cancer medications.

Posted: July 6, 2023

Technology

Urology tower and flexible scopes

The new tower and flexible scopes help surgeons perform complex urological procedures with a reduced risk of complication for the patient. The equipment benefits patients requiring kidney stone removal, prostate surgery, and bladder cancer procedures. The scopes are long, thin, flexible tubes equipped with a light and a small camera at the end, allowing the surgeon to see and potentially remove problematic tissue through small openings. When incisions are required, they can be very small, thereby reducing post-operative pain, decreasing infection rates, and improving the patient’s recovery. This new equipment allows for greater precision and safety than ever before.

Posted: July 6, 2023

Technology

Ultrasound and probes for general surgery and neurosurgery

This new equipment represents the latest evolution in ultrasound technology and helps HSC’s surgeons isolate abscesses, tumours, blood clots, and other abnormalities in a minimally invasive and very precise way. Using high-frequency soundwaves, ultrasound equipment creates real-time vivid images of organs or structures in the body. For neurosurgery in particular, these new probes offer an impressive leap forward into how precisely surgeons can isolate problem areas and reduce the risk of damaging healthy tissue during surgery.

Posted: July 6, 2023

Technology

StealthStation S8 Surgical Navigation System (for Neurosurgery)

Prior to the development of these types of navigation systems, neurosurgeons relied on crude landmarks on the scalp and skull to localize regions of the brain and find brain tumours, vascular malformations, and other brain lesions. The StealthStation S8 System allows neurosurgeons to pinpoint the location of even the smallest, deepest abnormalities in the brain by merging MRI and CT imaging with the patient. In this way, the StealthStation S8 acts as a kind of “GPS for the brain”, allowing for less invasive, safer surgery and reducing the risk of complications.

Posted: February 9, 2023

Technology

Argon Plasma Generator (for Thoracic Surgery)

This device produces ionized argon gas that passes through an electrical charge to create plasma. The plasma is directed at the surgical site using a special probe to achieve multiple functions such as controlling bleeding or addressing obstructing tumours, as well as removing cancerous tissues. The benefits include a reduced risk of infection, less bleeding, and better healing through minimally invasive endoscopic methods. For HSC's thoracic surgeons, the argon plasma generator will allow greater surgical precision with no cuts and help prevent injury during sensitive procedures.

Posted: February 9, 2023

Technology

Five Leica Microscopes (for Plastic Surgery)

These high-powered microscopes will allow HSC’s plastic surgeons to have the best possible field of visualization during delicate procedures such as breast reconstruction following breast cancer surgeries, and intricate surgeries to repair hands after injury. With this equipment, HSC’s surgeons will also be able to use indocyanine green technology to help visualize blood flow.

Posted: February 9, 2023

Technology

Surgical Waitlist and Information Management (SWIM) System

Part of the Novari Access to Care (ATC) Software Platform, SWIM is a robust and sophisticated digital system that better aligns patient needs with available surgical resources. The system provides administrators and surgeons with a more accurate assessment of which patients are ready for surgery and which surgeons are available. SWIM has been purchased and implementation is well advanced. Once SWIM is fully implemented surgical waitlists will be reduced as the system automatically identifies scheduling gaps and opportunities.

Posted: February 9, 2023

Technology

Help us deliver tomorrow’s health care, today.

The investments we make today will ensure a tradition of surgical excellence and innovation for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.

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