GE HealthCare Reveals New Applications for Mobile C-arms

GE HealthCare has announced additional clinical applications available as part of its OEC 3D mobile CBCT C-arm portfolio. The new applications target precise, efficient imaging during endoscopic bronchoscopy procedures in interventional pulmonology.

Complex pulmonary and thoracic procedures require precise intraoperative imaging systems. To diagnose and biopsy a suspected lesion or region of interest in the lungs, physicians musto visualize and confirm the precise location of nodules and tools, yet often the position of a nodule can differ from pre-operative CT images because of the differences in respiratory patterns, patient positioning, and other factors, resulting in CT to body divergence, at time of the procedure.

The OEC 3D Lung Suite lets clinicians visualize 2D and 3D lung images on a single mobile C-arm. It includes augmented fluoroscopy overlay of 3D points of interest on live fluoroscopy images. An adjustable motorized 3D scan accommodates patient or equipment positions during a spin.

OEC Open lets clinicians use navigation or robotic assistance with advanced imaging to reach the region of interest during the procedure. The OEC Open interface allows automatic transfer of 3D volumetric data after reconstruction to verified navigation and robotic systems.

Another recent addition to the OEC Open tool is a verified interface with the Intuitive Ion endoluminal robotic bronchoscopy system. This lets users automatically transfer OEC 3D mobile CBCT imaging upon reconstruction to the Ion system, to then update target locations for catheter adjustments during the procedure.

“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. Furthermore, this collaboration also signifies our continued commitment to enabling surgeons access to the latest technologies to support them in providing exceptional patient care.”