14 DAY TRIAL // German hospital Siloah St. Trudpert Klinikum started in 2010 the development of what’s being called an intelligent operating room that uses next-gen technology such as touchscreens and video cameras to collect data about the patient and help the surgical team.
The hospital’s new urology section is using Microsoft technology and medical instruments provided by Richard Wolf for a completely unique digital operating room not only to make each surgery a success, but also to train interns with real-time video transmission of surgeries.
The operating theater is now equipped with endoscopic instruments, images from X-ray or ultrasound, and room controls, with the core system being powered by Windows Embedded connected to a touchscreen interface.
“[This] enables clinicians to control surgical instruments including endoscopes, wires and pumps; ultrasound and X-ray images; and controls for lighting and audio. The core system provides a comprehensive overview of the patient’s condition, enabling greater precision during surgery,” Microsoft explained.
The surgical team is using video cameras to stream real-time video from the endoscope, while the core system communicates with a computer running Windows 7 Professional and specifically created to “save images to the patient’s record using the standard Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine medical imaging protocol.”
Other Windows instruments could be implemented as well, Microsoft says, some of which are based on touch-capable displays, which means that Windows 8 could very likely lend a hand in this case.
“Our aim is always to provide excellent patient care. We might spend the same amount of time that we did 10 years ago, but the treatment is better,” Dr. Sven Lahme, head of the hospital’s urology department, explained. “We have capabilities that we didn’t have before.”
Watch the video below for a behind the scenes look at the new urology department and tell us what you think in the comment box after the jump.
