Teradek Medical:
Changing the Face of the OR, Wirelessly

Bridging the gap between cutting edge surgery and advanced imaging

"In a modern day OR, pre-surgery the room itself is basically empty. Nurses and technicians roll in the equipment required for each specific surgery". Explains Uri Kanonich, Manager of the Medical Business Unit at Teradek. Most surgical procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopy and endoscopy. These front-line methods require high-quality video to provide surgeons with clear and precise visual information during surgery.
Surgeons choose between minimally invasive procedures and open surgery while utilizing real-time imaging guidance such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans. This is possible, in large part, thanks to the ability of these medical devices and imaging systems to provide real-time video during surgical procedures. The real-time video feed is not only essential for guiding their every move but also for ensuring patient safety and successful outcomes. In most operating rooms the staff connects the various machines to monitors in the OR by using basic HDMI or SDI cables. The process is simple and economical, but results in a dangerous array of cables crisscrossing through the room along the floor and walls." Explains Uri Kanonich,. In hybrid operating room (OR), state-of-the-art medical facilities that combines the precision of a traditional surgical suite with advanced imaging and interventional capabilities, another solution can be found in pre-installed video matrixes. These are generally expensive, and require frequent professional re-installation, preventing flexibility and modularity of the equipment.

 
The battle beyond video resolution
"Surgeons increasingly turn to 4K real-time video for optimal visualization during surgical procedures and medical interventions and the technology is in constant use also for educational purposes or legalities." says Rafi Agiv, Director of Product Management at Teradek. "We found that the need for the highest possible video resolution, wasn't the only issue we faced in the OR." Agiv explains. "We needed to find a solution for the traditional wired connections, cluttering the OR environment, potentially becoming tripping hazards and sources of contamination. We needed to allow for movement and re-positioning of surgical devices during surgery, and able simultaneous display of imaging data on multiple monitors, and we also needed to find a way to eliminate any latency that might delay the surgeon's perception of what's happening inside the patient's body, so as to ensure that surgeons are able to react instantly to any changes or complications that may arise during the operation."











Turning to Hollywood for the solution
"We develop unique technologies to deliver wireless UHD video solutions with sub-frame latency, for the movie & TV industries, in effect changing the way content is captured. Teradek Medical utilized the technology perfected for Hollywood, adapting, and implementing it for the OR. Thanks to Hollywood - we had the perfect solution in our hands: Teradek's Wireless Zero Latency technology allows for wireless transmission of any video source, even in multicast, at up to 4K-60fps quality resolution. This unique technology was developed for the cinema and is used in nearly every movie made in the US nowadays. In the movie industry delays mean loss of money. In the medicine, latency and delays between the actual surgical field and what's shown on screen – costs lives."

High-fidelity, ultra-low latency and wireless
The implementation of wireless video solutions in tens of thousands of operating rooms worldwide has enhanced clinical workflow efficiency and improved patient outcomes. This transformation owes much to the remarkable strides made in wireless technology, enabling the delivery of high-fidelity, ultra-low latency video through a secure and dependable link. "We can now easily connect endoscopies, mobile C-arm X-rays, ultrasound systems, surgical light cameras, surgical integration systems, robotic systems and more to our system in an easy and intuitive streamlined installation "Plug and Play" method, either externally or embedded inside the machinery. The integration of wireless video solutions presents a host of benefits, ensuring hassle-free connections. The enhanced visualization options and flexibility and freedom of movement expands possibilities for the staff, while heightening safety measures, speeding up processes and lowering the risk of infection due to excess equipment and significantly less OR time. The cost benefit is also reduced substantially, with a faster turnover time." Says Agiv.
"When talking about patients and medical confidentiality, I can't stress enough that this system is cyber proof," continues Kanonich. "It's a stand-alone system, with no internet connection. The information transferred is protected to the highest level possible. Our system sets new standards for efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness, enhancing patient care in operating rooms around the world. The potential is endless, changing the face of surgery and operating rooms, or even standard treatment rooms, in hundreds of thousands of hospitals, health care centers and clinics globally."


* Published in HAARETZ, written by Karen Kramer