GE HealthCare unveils new applications for mobile C-arm portfolio

By Sean Whooley | November 25, 2024

GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. last week announced that it has added new clinical applications to its OEC 3D mobile CBCT C-arm portfolio. The Chicago-based company said the additions will enable precise and efficient imaging during endoscopic bronchoscopy procedures in the practice of interventional pulmonology.

Complex pulmonary and thoracic procedures require precise intraoperative imaging systems, explained GE HealthCare. The position of a nodule can differ from pre-operative CT images, it noted. This happens as a result of differences in respiratory patterns, patient positioning, and other factors, resulting in CT-to-body divergence at the time of the procedure, said the company.

GE HealthCare claimed that its operational electronic chart (OEC) 3D intraoperative mobile cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers “imaging excellence” and versatility. It said it can aid in everyday procedures ranging from neuro-spine and orthopedic trauma to interventional procedures such as bronchoscopy.

OEC 3D enables the visualization of both 2D and 3D images of the lung using a single mobile C-arm. The lung suite now includes an augmented fluoroscopy overlay of 3D points of interest and adjustable motorized 3D scans.

OEC interfaces continue to expand

During bronchoscopy procedures, clinicians can use navigation or robotic assistance with the OEC Open interface to automatically transfer 3D volumetric data after reconstruction.

GE HealthCare recently added a verified interface with the Intuitive Ion endoluminal robotic bronchoscopy system. The company said it continues to expand OEC open interfaces for a variety of clinical procedures as an agnostic ecosystem. It’s currently verified with eight third-party systems across robotics, navigation, and augmented reality (AR) vision.

“As we continue to build out our OEC ecosystem, GE HealthCare is excited about the addition of the Intuitive Ion robotic system to our OEC Open interface,” said Christian O’Connor, global general manager for surgery at GE HealthCare. “This interface provides interventional pulmonologists using the OEC 3D C-arm a seamless experience during minimally invasive, robotic-assisted bronchoscopy procedures.”

“With Intuitive’s Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy System now verified to interface with GE HealthCare’s OEC 3D through the OEC Open interface, I believe we can now reach and diagnose almost any nodule in the lung,” stated Dr. Dominique Pepper. She is medical director of bronchoscopy and respiratory care at Providence Swedish South Puget Sound and a consultant for GE HealthCare.

“This is a game-changer for clinicians – this can help us confidently and accurately provide answers when we see a suspicious area of interest,” Pepper said.

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About GE HealthCare

GE HealthCare said it is a global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator. The company said its integrated systems, services, and data analytics can make hospitals more efficient, clinicians more effective, therapies more precise, and patients healthier and happier. It said it is a $19.6 billion business with approximately 51,000 employees worldwide. 

First introduced in 2021, the OEC 3D mobile CBCT C-arm provides precise 3D and 2D imaging in a variety of procedures. During bronchoscopies, clinicians can use CBCT visualization features, such as Lung Preset, to help optimize viewing of airway structures and Augmented Fluoroscopy with Lung Suite to help confirm tool-in-lesion.

The OEC 3D enables a transition from 3D to 2D imaging through one versatile mobile CBCT imaging C-arm. GE said it includes an intuitive user interface and workflow to further optimize space in the bronchoscopy suite.

Editor’s note: This article was syndicated from The Robot Report sibling site MassDevice.