An integrated Operating Room for a Fraction of the Price

OR Networks Limited have just released a bare bones version of their highly succesful ORTV® Control System on a new computer platform bringing the cost of an integrated OR down to a fraction of the price, including touch screen and surgical monitor.

The system is network enabled and computer based allowing easy integration with other systems e.g. emails, web browser applications (PACS) and Electronic Patient Records.

Removing the unnecessary cost (and consequential "lock in" of a system) of incorporating controls of endo-surgery devices, the ORTV® Live system controls only the devices where it makes sense to centralise them, lights, image selection and video capture.

All of these features are crammed into a single application that runs on one piece of hardware bringing the costs down to a fraction of the normal price (Integrated ORs typically cost between £50,000 and £100,000 each).

"Our customers have realised that there is no point in paying tens of thousands of pounds controlling a device such as an endoscopic camera, which has easily reachable controls on the front panel a few feet away, from another device that is also a few feet away. Especially when it means that the entire theatre will only work with one manufacturer, they are beginning to realise that they will lose their ability to change equipment and consequently their negotiating position with respect to consumables etc.

"Fundamentally, what they want, is to get screens on arms, equipment off floors and be able to inter-operate with other hospital applications, without being tied in to a single provider."

Colin Dobbyne, Managing Director.

Free HD endoscopic camera guide

Endoscopic cameras are now bit of minefield with the introduction of HD television.
Not suprisingly all manufacturers claim that theirs is the best.

OR Networks have published a helpful guide to cut through the marketing hype and help potential customers gain an understanding of the technology to make objective and informed decisions.

First African Live Surgical Video Link from ORTV®

OR Networks, as part of their global corporate responsibility program, have installed one of their ORcast® video link systems for free into the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre operating theatres.

Working with the NUGITS team of laparoscopic surgeons and Northumbria Healthcare, the video link will support the ongoing laparoscopic training by providing surgeons with live video telementoring to their trainers based in the UK.

The video and two way audio is transmitted over secure internet lines and available as a web login, allowing UK surgeons to view the live transmissions from their home or office, or if they have an ORTV® integrated theatre, whilst they work themselves.

The BBC feature the link on BBC Look North. See the news reel.

To view the installation diary - click here.

First permanent HD video endoscopic teaching link in the UK

Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport is set to be the first hospital in the UK to have a dedicated, permanent HD video teaching link for urological and laparascopic surgery.

OR Networks are installing its ORcast® fibre, digital video teaching link system, to send true HD (1920 x 1024) progressive-scan video from the Storz Image 1 HD endoscope across the hospital WAN to the post graduate centre.

We beleive this is the first live link system that is permanently installed for the highest HD resolution in the UK.

OR Networks are also installing overview cameras and a Maquet in-light camera to offer the delegates three views: overview, surgical site and endoscopic.

The post graduate suite is installed with a projector, an LCD for the surgical team and picture in picture.

Two way audio at broadcast studio quality completes the setup for an unparalleled viewing experience of live surgery.

Galway take delivery of third OR3G® Theatre from ORTV

University College Galway have recently taken delivey of their third ORTV® integrated theatre from OR Networks Limited. This joins the two Cardio-Thoracic theatres currently in use and is used for live operative tuition over digital video links to the post graduate centre.

ORTV® appoints Kuwait Agents for Middle East Region

OR Networks have shipped their first system to Kuwaiti Agents, Central Circle Company. The company is a major distributor for medical equipment and a leading provider of integrated theatres. They have selected OR Networks to provide the OR3G® integrated theatre system since it maintains freedom of choice for clinicians as to which endoscopic system they wish to use.

Central Circle Company will be demonstrating the OR3G® system at numerous medical trade shows in the area.

Customers join and expand their ORTV® networks

Leeds Teaching Hospitals have added ORTV® systems to the new LIMIT Education Centre at St James Hospital. The unit has a mock operating theatre and links to several teaching rooms for live tuition during training and simulation courses.

Churchill Hospital in Oxford are now starting the third phase of the ORTV® installation with the live video linking of four more operating theatres, 14 seminar rooms and an MDT suite. The Churchill will also link to the other JRH hospitals via OR Networks' ORcast® digital video networks.OR Networks have also integrated into the ORTV teaching networks, two integrated operating theatres, a Storz OR1 and two Keymed EndoAlpha.

Galway University College Hospital have now added another OR3G® integrated operating theatre for their new maternity wing to complement the two Cardio Thoracic theatres installed earlier this year.

Dumfries and Galloway Hospital have this month installed an ORTV® observation system to five operating theatres.

St Mary's in London are installing an ORTV® video Teaching Link for the Vascular team of Surgeons for live operative tuition.

Taking Integration to New Level

Follow this link to the article in Clinical Services Journal (June 07).

OR3G theatres:

* improve efficiency
* reduce clutter and eliminate floor cables
* helps infection control
* provides live teaching facilities to large audiences

OR3G is the only integrated operating theatre that adopts an open
system architecture, maintaining freedom of choice for surgeons.

OR3G Integrated Operating Theatres

OR Networks have joined forces with Maquet and Howorth Airtech to provide the first 'open system' integrated operating theatre. See www.or-tv.net for more details.

University Hospital start Cardio Thoracic surgery in new OR3G theatres

The University College Hospital Galway has recently installed two OR3G integrated operating theatres from OR Networks. In addition to the ORTV video systems they have connected the theatres to the Clinical Sciences building with the ORcast MPEG2 digital video links for live operative tuition.

The theatre layout is specifically designed for Cardio Thoracic surgery where the patient monitoring display is constantly available to the surgeon. Other video sources include endoscopy, head cameras and roomview cameras for live operative tuition and procedure recordings.

The first procedures were conducted in May 2007.

Radiance Monitors from National Display - Brochures

Or Networks have now published the latest brochures covering the range of medical grade monitors from National Display. Unlike other monitors that are converted from industrial types, National Displays are constructed exclusively for surgical video systems and are the only monitors approved by OR Networks for its ORTV theatre systems.

for more information, contact sales@or-tv.net