Olympus Introduces Light & Boom Portfolio to Support Big Screen Surgery

Through the Olympus and AMICO Distribution Agreement Surgical lighting, Equipment Booms, Patient Lift, and Other Infrastructure Products Provide System Integration Platform for the OR of the Future

CENTER VALLEY, PA, (April 4, 2016) – Olympus, a global technology leader in designing and delivering innovative solutions for medical and surgical procedures, among other core businesses, announced today it now sells surgical lighting, equipment booms and infrastructure products through a distribution agreement with AMICO. The agreement brings with it several innovative and differentiated technologies, two of which will be featured this week at the 2016 AORN Surgical Conference and Expo to be held April 2-6 in Anaheim, Calif.

At 2016 AORN, there will be a presentation on ergonomic positioning of large monitors in the operative field and a live demonstration of the Patient Lift Pendant (PLP) system. The PLP is a patented, safe, and ergonomic method of transferring patients into the surgical field directly from a ceiling mounted boom. Other applications include elevating and holding appendages during long surgical cases.

The partnership with AMICO solidifies a key addition to the Olympus Systems Integration business which will now include an OR design element. Combining a best-in-class imaging system, robust integration offering, and differentiated infrastructure product, Olympus has a highly competitive and complete solution for all surgical environments.

Three weeks ago, at the 2016 Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) in Boston, Olympus launched its Big Screen Surgery concept, featuring the new Olympus 4K Imaging platform, which highlights the visual elements – light, color and higher resolution – essential for laparoscopic and arthroscopic surgery. Given the recommended use of a larger screen with 4K imaging, appropriate infrastructure and ergonomics are recommended for managing screen placement to best accommodate the surgical team.

Key elements to consider with OR Imaging and Infrastructure Projects:

  • Telescope and Optics: As resolution increases, the amount of light passing through the telescope and the contrast capability must also be increased. A lack of light will result in a noisy image while a lack of contrast will appear as a blur which would waste any investment the hospital makes in a 4K system. Ultra High Definition (UHD) telescopes are therefore recommended for use with 4K resolution.
  • 4K Image Capture and Processing: A 4K camera captures four times the resolution and twice the color information as HD. This means that a large amount of data needs to be processed to prevent a lag in the clinical image during surgery. With Sony’s proprietary image processing, a full 4K image with 10 bit color can be processed through an optical cable in real time for fast performance and a crisp 4K image.
  • Monitor Placement: Where viewing distance may be a factor with other systems, Big Screen Surgery with Olympus 4K facilitates close up viewing and a detailed scrutiny of the anatomy without pixelation effects. Using ceiling suspended mounting solutions is an efficient way to position the monitor while minimizing disruption in workflow.
  • Staff Safety: The single greatest risk factor for overexertion injuries for healthcare workers is the manual lifting, moving and repositioning of patients. Rates of musculoskeletal injuries resulting from overexertion in healthcare occupations are twice as high for hospital workers as the average for all industries (76 per 10,000). To combat this growing concern, Olympus will now offer the Patient Lift Pendant (PLP) to assist with transferring, and repositioning immobilized patients. The PLP is capable of supporting a patient up to 1000 lbs (454 kg).

“Olympus builds upon our strong imaging platform with this announcement, to now offer differentiated equipment mounting capabilities and a robust integration solution. This puts Olympus in a strong competitive position,” said Todd Usen, President, Olympus Medical Systems Group at Olympus Corporation of the Americas. “The game-changing advent of Big Screen Surgery is an excellent opportunity for infrastructure improvements that will fully leverage 4K and help meet healthcare reform goals of improving quality of care, reducing costs and enhancing patient satisfaction.”

For more information about big screen surgery, please contact Olympus customer service at 1-800-848-9024 or visit: medical.olympusamerica.com/products/VISERA-4K-UHD-System.

# # #

About Olympus Medical Systems Group
Olympus Medical Systems Group, a division of global technology leader Olympus, develops solutions for healthcare professionals that help improve clinical outcomes, reduce overall costs and enhance quality of life for their patients. By enabling less invasive procedures, innovative diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, and early stage lung cancer evaluation and treatments, Olympus is transforming the future of healthcare. For more information visit Olympus at medical.olympusamerica.com.

About AMICO
Amico designs, manufactures, and markets a broad range of products for virtually every department in the health care facility. Their mission is to design and deliver state-of-the-art products that facilitate the caregiver's role in providing the best outcomes for patients. In the OR, Amico manufactures the latest generation iCE LED Surgical Lights as well as a complete line of Equipment Booms with optional Integrated Patient Lifts. Learn more at www.amico.com.

i according to the Centers for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/safepatient/