GE HealthCare has announced new clinical applications for its OEC 3D mobile CBCT C-arm, designed to enhance imaging precision and efficiency during endoscopic bronchoscopy in interventional pulmonology. These innovations aim to address challenges in complex pulmonary and thoracic procedures, where precise intraoperative imaging is essential for diagnosing and biopsying lung lesions.
Enhanced Imaging for Complex Pulmonary Procedures
Interventional pulmonologists often face discrepancies between pre-operative CT images and real-time conditions during procedures due to respiratory patterns, patient positioning, and other factors. GE HealthCare’s OEC 3D intraoperative mobile CBCT addresses this issue, offering precise imaging across a wide range of applications, including neuro-spine, orthopedic trauma, and bronchoscopy procedures.
New Features for Improved Bronchoscopy
The updated OEC 3D C-arm includes advanced tools to improve airway visualization during bronchoscopy:
- OEC 3D Lung Suite: Enables 2D and 3D imaging with a single mobile C-arm. Features include:
- Augmented Fluoroscopy: Overlays 3D points of interest on live fluoroscopy images.
- Adjustable Motorized 3D Scan: Adapts to patient or equipment positions during imaging.
- OEC Open Interface: Allows integration with navigation and robotic systems for enhanced procedural workflows.
A key update is the interface compatibility with the Intuitive Ion® Endoluminal Robotic Bronchoscopy System. This feature enables automatic transfer of reconstructed 3D images to the Ion system, allowing real-time updates to target locations for catheter adjustments.
Expanding the OEC Ecosystem
The OEC Open interface now supports eight third-party systems, spanning robotics, navigation, and augmented reality vision, reinforcing its versatility for various clinical procedures.
Dr. Dominique Pepper, Medical Director of Bronchoscopy and Respiratory Care at Providence Swedish South Puget Sound, described the collaboration as transformative:
With Intuitive’s Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy System now integrated with GE HealthCare’s OEC 3D, we can confidently reach and diagnose almost any lung nodule. This is a game-changer for clinicians.
Christian O’Connor, Global General Manager for Surgery at GE HealthCare, emphasized the significance of this partnership:
This interface delivers a seamless experience for interventional pulmonologists, underscoring our commitment to enabling exceptional patient care through the latest technologies.
Supporting Better Outcomes
Introduced in 2021, the OEC 3D mobile CBCT C-arm continues to deliver high-quality 2D and 3D imaging for a variety of procedures. For bronchoscopy, features like Lung Preset and Augmented Fluoroscopy support precise visualization of airway structures and lesion confirmation, optimizing outcomes and procedural efficiency.
GE HealthCare’s continuous innovation in the OEC C-arm portfolio reflects its dedication to empowering clinicians with cutting-edge tools to improve diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.
