It is also important that video integration solutions are
designed around a compatible philosophy. Introducing
proprietary restrictions can be troublesome for the end
user. Operating rooms and endoscopy suites maintain optimum
efficiency when the video integration system works with as many
signal sources and destinations as
possible.
There will always be a need for
full-featured turnkey OR integration systems that manage a variety
of tasks. However, there is a growing demand for systems that focus
primarily on high performance
video processing. Surgical video
integration, efficiently and economically designed, does not have to
break the budget. More operating
rooms, surgical suites, and procedural facilities of all sizes and ages
can benefit from technology as it is
made more affordable.
Expanding 3D and Robotic
Implementation
User’s Perspective: Investing in 3D visualization technology
and robotic surgery platforms are being met with some trepidation and a keen need to help validate what have been historically significant investment amounts. The reality is that while
there are few disagreements surrounding the quality of the technology, to get sign-off on the procurement of 3D monitors and
surgical robots, the return on investment must be significant.
This has led to less specialization and more cross-proce-dural use of these technologies. The more patients that can
be positively impacted by benefits ranging from shorter procedural and recovery times to minimized infection exposure
due to better minimally invasive approaches, the stronger the
argument will be for these products.
The growth of 3D visualization, in both teaching and live surgical environments, will continue to grow due to the greater level of
accuracy that can be achieved. The fact that these two technologies
are so closely interwoven will also ensure that both are embraced
at a greater level moving forward. However, for robotic platforms
to continue to grow, their ability to handle procedures beyond the
urological and gastrointestinal realm much increase. The price tag
and staff training demands they carry is simply to significant.
Supplier’s View – Olympus: Through laparoscopic procedures, not only do patients avoid the drawbacks of open
surgery, like long healing times, infection risk and significant
blood loss, but now surgeons can avoid the depth perception
drawbacks that were a reality of 2D laparoscopic technology.
3D systems deliver value to surgeons and patients by reducing
surgical errors and improving the speed, accuracy and preci-
Image courtesy of Sony.
Image courtesy of Olympus.
