Wellington’s Wakefield Hospital has upgraded its Medtronic O-arm surgical imaging system, adding AI-assisted features for spinal and cranial procedures.
The O-arm is a mobile imaging system used in the operating theatre to provide specialists with real-time 2D and 3D images during surgery.
The new 4.3 software includes Spine Smart Dose, an AI-based algorithm designed to maintain image quality while using 70 per cent of the radiation dose of a standard scan.
It also adds 3D Long Scan, which extends 3D imaging to up to 43.8cm and is intended to reduce the need for multiple scans during longer spinal procedures.
A third feature, Medtronic Implant Resolution, enhances visualisation of bone around Medtronic screw systems to assist specialists in assessing screw placement.
Orthopaedic specialist Jonathon Richards said the upgrade provided additional information during more complex spinal procedures.
“Having detailed 3D imaging available during surgery gives us important information while the patient is still on the operating table,” Dr Richards said.
“The 4.3 upgrade adds capability in areas that are particularly valuable during more complex spinal procedures – across longer sections of the spine, around implants and in managing radiation dose.
“These and other features are practical improvements that give us more information at the point we need it, and of course the Spine Smart Dose also provides the option of achieving the imaging quality we require using a lower radiation dose.”
Wakefield Hospital general manager Carole Kaffes said the upgrade extended the capability of the hospital’s existing O-arm system.
“Upgrading our existing O-arm to the latest 4.3 software significantly extends the capability of an important surgical imaging platform already in use at Wakefield and gives patients access to the latest advances in treatment here in Wellington.”
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