25 minutes faster per procedure: New 3D monitor offers lifelike 4K UHD display on 43-inch and can be mounted on mobile operating theatre carts weighing <18 kg

Thursday, 2024 April 25

Life expectancy is increasing worldwide, which is why minimally invasive procedures that are gentle on the patient are becoming increasingly important. The success of the operation depends to a large extent on detailed imaging procedures that enable the surgeon to coordinate hand-eye movements as accurately as possible. In addition to high-resolution monitors, 3D imaging has therefore also found its way into the operating theatre. The realistic optical impression of depth enables more precise and significantly faster interventions. Until now, 4K UHD 3D technology for flexible use on operating theatre equipment carts was limited to smaller display sizes up to a maximum of 32 inches, which can only show a small section of the image. Larger screen diagonals of 55 inches, on the other hand, can only be permanently mounted on wall and ceiling mounts.

Precise colour reproduction and brightness of up to 700 cd/m² create a detailed impression of depth

To close this gap, EIZO GmbH has now equipped its 43-inch 4K UHD screen, which was launched last year for use in operating theatres, with an additional 3D function. Thanks to its low weight of less than 18 kg, the new CuratOR EX4342-3D can be flexibly attached to medical equipment carts and the available space can be used efficiently. The larger image area with a consistently high depth of colour and detail creates optimum conditions for high-precision endoscopic procedures in both large and small operating theatres.

The use of 3D imaging procedures saves an average of around 25 minutes per procedure compared to conventional 2D technology. This was confirmed by a meta-study conducted in 2020, which analysed a total of 32 individual studies in this regard and quantified the opportunity costs based on case-mix modelling in two hospitals in Germany and United Kingdom (1). The researchers calculated potential operating theatre time savings of 4.89 hours per working day for the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and 3.21 hours for Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. As 3D technology enables faster and more precise work, according to the study results, 21 per cent more operations could be performed, which would have a corresponding impact on the clinics' revenue figures.

(1) Bruno, L. et al. PSU16 3D VS. 2D-Imaging in Laparoscopic Procedures: Opportunity Costs Associated with the Reduction of Time in the Operating Room (OR). Value in Health, Volume 23, S740.

"The figures are promising and point to strong growth in 4K 3D technologies," says Qian Hu, Product Manager and Business Development Manager Greater China at EIZO GmbH in Germany. More and more endoscopes and surgical microscopes on the market are equipped with 3D technology. However, the widespread switch to 4K 3D in the application is only just taking place, meaning that many operating theatres are still equipped with Full HD 3D technology. The most lifelike and detailed imaging possible is just as essential for the effective use of 3D technology as the display of the information provided by the endoscopes and surgical microscopes in the optimum field of view.

Particularly in the context of the growing market for minimally invasive procedures, endoscopy and surgery require displays that can be mounted not only on the wall or ceiling, but also on mobile operating theatre trolleys. However, it must not be too small so that the surgeons have a sufficiently large field of view and can easily recognise details.

Qian Hu
Product Manager and Business Development Manager Greater China
EIZO GmbH

First surgical 3D monitor with 43" and 4K resolution

Last year, EIZO already closed part of this gap in the market with its new 4K UHD widescreen monitor CuratOR EX4342, which has a screen diagonal of 43 inches. Despite this impressive size, the monitor weighs just 17 kg. The model also complies with the VESA mounting standard, making it easy to attach to medical equipment carts. With a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, which has four times the pixel density of the previously used Full HD, even the smallest details such as sutures or thin blood vessels are displayed sharply and true to the original on a screen approx. 94 cm wide. Thanks to the high luminance of 700 cd/m² and the 4K video standard BT.2020 with HDR compatibility, the colours are reproduced realistically, even with fine shades of red and yellow.

"Customer feedback for the CuratOR EX4342 has shown us that there is a huge gap in the market between 32 and 55 inches - and not just in terms of 4K UHD," reports Hu. "That's why we have now equipped the model with an additional version with a 3D panel that weighs just under a kilo more." With the help of 3D technology, the visual impression of depth is reproduced realistically on the display. In combination with the gamma correction settings PQ and HLG, the display on the monitor can be adapted even more precisely to the light and colour perception of the human eye. This refines the surgeon's hand-eye coordination and enables high-precision work. The new CuratOR EX4342-3D also has an ultra-thin aluminium housing so that it can be flexibly mounted on walls, ceilings and mobile equipment trolleys with a weight of 17.6 kg. The wide viewing angle enables an optimum field of vision in both large and small operating theatres.

EIZO combines German and Japanese expertise

The CuratOR EX4342-3D was developed in close cooperation with the EIZO headquarter in Japan. In order to establish an uniform standard between the manufacturer's Japanese and German product lines, the development platform used in Japan was also introduced in the German laboratories. "Our Japanese colleagues also have more experience in the field of 3D imaging," explains Hu. "That's why they were responsible for applying the optical film required for the stereoscopic image to our display."

On the software side, the 2D model already has the appropriate firmware, meaning that only minor adjustments were required to implement the 3D properties. For example, the CuratOR EX4342-3D can also display several different signal sources next to each other via PbyP (Picture-by-Picture) or on top of each other via PinP (Picture-in-Picture). In addition to the endoscopic images, the surgeon can also conveniently keep an eye on vital parameters or ultrasound images on one screen at all times.

With minimally invasive procedures becoming increasingly common, it is simply inefficient if the surgical teams are not provided with a 4K UHD display with a large field of view and lifelike depth impression in 3D. With the compromise between low weight and the largest possible field of view, the 43-inch screen has proven to be the optimum size. After all, studies have already shown that 3D imaging not only improves the precision of surgeons, but also significantly reduces the duration of individual procedures.

Qian Hu
EIZO GmbH