USA— In a strategic distribution agreement, GE HealthCare and DePuy Synthes, the Orthopedics Company of Johnson & Johnson, have partnered to make GE HealthCare’s OEC 3D Imaging System more widely available to surgeons and patients across the United States.

This collaboration aims to enhance surgical procedures, particularly complex spinal surgeries performed by doctors in small ambulatory surgery centers. The financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.

The OEC 3D Imaging System is centered around a C-arm-style X-ray scanner, which can be used throughout a hospital for various orthopedic, cardiac, and vascular procedures.

With its unique design and mobility, the scanner can swiftly produce 2D and 3D images, offering valuable insights within minutes.

 GE HealthCare claims that the system captures 3D images with 67% more volume than other competing 3D C-arms.

The OEC 3D system seamlessly integrates with mobile monitors equipped with GE HealthCare’s Volume Viewer software.

Surgeons can analyze, annotate, and compare 3D scans in real time, expediting the diagnosis and surgical planning processes.

Furthermore, the system can be connected to surgical navigation and robotics systems, enabling doctors to efficiently manage the entire surgery from a single interface.

Phil Rackliffe, president and CEO of GE HealthCare’s image-guided therapies business, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing the transformative capabilities of the OEC 3D system.

Rackliffe stated, “OEC 3D is a game-changer for clinicians today, providing high-quality reconstructed 3D images and an open platform.

“Through our collaboration with DePuy Synthes, we look forward to bringing this technology to more spine practices, ensuring precise and efficient imaging so that surgeons can focus on delivering quality patient care.”

The spine is a crucial structure to the human body and highly complex in its composition of muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and sensitive nerves.

Injuries or deformities of the spine can affect any appendage of the body and significantly restrict mobility as well as reduce quality of life as a result.

Visualization and imaging are critical to helping achieve accurate diagnosis as well as treatment in the face of such complexity to ensure the most optimal patient outcome.

GE HealthCare’s rapid expansion in the imaging field

Since its separation from GE as an independent public company, GE HealthCare has pursued a rapid expansion strategy.

The company has focused on strengthening its imaging business, evident in its recent acquisitions of Caption Health and Imactis, both imaging technology companies.

Additionally, GE HealthCare plans to establish a joint venture with Sinopharm’s medtech arm in China, with the aim of developing and commercializing non-premium CT and general imaging ultrasound solutions.

Through the partnership between GE HealthCare and DePuy Synthes, the OEC 3D Imaging System is poised to empower surgeons, enhance diagnostic capabilities, and advance patient care in the field of orthopedic surgery.

In May this year, GE HealthCare secured 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration for its new deep learning-based image processing software, Precision DL.

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