Medtronic has announced the launch of new AI algorithms for post-operative analysis, providing AI surgical insights across laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery. This comes alongside the launch of Touch Surgery Live Stream, as Medtronic continues to integrate computing power in operating rooms globally. Live Stream and enhanced AI-driven Performance Insights become available through Medtronic’s Touch Surgery Ecosystem of digital technologies, which also include surgical video, simulations, and case management solutions.
The company has introduced 14 new AI-driven algorithms across surgical workflow, instrument, and anatomy detection to the Touch Surgery Performance Insights platform. These innovations expand the platform's capability to translate surgical videos into actionable insights post-procedure. By enabling detailed analysis of surgical techniques, the company claims it is empowering surgeons to refine their skills and efficiency, learn from past surgeries, and share with others.
The expanded analytics cover a comprehensive range of procedures, including laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and robotic-assisted hysterectomy, offering unprecedented insights into performance metrics, workflow, anatomy identification, and instrument use.
Bringing remote, real-time observation to ORs in more than 20 countries, Touch Surgery Live Stream makes the secure live streaming of procedures possible, creating an immersive virtual learning environment with the benefits of being physically present. It aims to revolutionise the way surgical training is delivered by providing greater numbers of surgeons with access to expert techniques to minimize the need for a crowded operating theatre.
With Touch Surgery Live Stream surgeons, trainees, and OR managers can now conduct and attend live broadcasts, engaging in a hands-on educational experience through virtual coaching sessions, eliminating geographical barriers to democratise access to high-calibre surgical education. For trainees, this will mean the ability to join a live broadcast to learn a new technique from an expert, as well as accessing follow-up training with a virtual coaching session.
“We continue to advance our digital ecosystem with a focus on seamless connectivity. We’re excited to now be connecting surgeons during operations, and connecting them with richer insights all in a solution designed for them,” said George Murgatroyd, vice president and general manager, Digital Technologies within the Surgical business, which is part of the Medical Surgical Portfolio at Medtronic. “Medtronic has been putting technology into surgeons' hands for more than 60 years and we're continuing this innovation with software and computing. We not only amplify surgical performance but also nurture a new generation of world-class surgical educators.”
Touch Surgery Live Stream and Performance Insights are only intended for education and training purposes. The procedures that are being added to Touch Surgery Performance Insights include: laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic TAPP inguinal hernia repair, robotic TAPP inguinal hernia repair, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic right hemicolectomy, robotic-assisted total hysterectomy, robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy and robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy.