Hybrid Operating Room with X-Ray Capability Optimizes Workflow

A new hybrid operating room (OR) integrates a surgical operating room with a sophisticated X-ray imaging system. This enables cardiovascular surgeons as well as interventionalists to perform the most advanced minimally invasive procedures.

Philips Healthcare (Best, The Netherlands) announced the opening of the world's first hybrid OR with new FlexMove --a ceiling-mounted option for the AlluraXperx-ray system, designed to optimize workflow in hybrid ORs--at the University Hospital Zurich (UniversitätsSpital Zürich [USZ]; Switzerland).

FlexMove allows healthcare personnel to: (1) move the X-ray imaging system laterally and longitudinally to perform a wide range of procedures whilse causing hardly any interference in the provision of anesthesia or to staff. FlexMove's full body coverage at both sides of the table supports complex hybrid and endovascular procedures without the need to pan the table. (2) Position the X-ray system in lateral standby position for optimal access to the patient and move the system quickly in place when needed, or park it out of the way when not needed to create more room for other procedures. (3) Work within the rigorous sterility parameters of the hybrid OR because the ceiling rails of FlexMove fit around a laminar airflow system. Moreover, the FlexMove system does not touch the floor, which simplifies room layout and facilitates cleaning.

The launch of the FlexMove system coincides with the 50th anniversary of the University Hospital Zürich's scientific meeting--a celebration of 50 years of excellence in cardiac surgery. Further launches of FlexMove are planned later in 2011 in Belgium, Germany, North America, and the Republic of Ireland.

Bert van Meurs, general manager, Philips Healthcare interventional X-ray systems comments: "The development of AlluraXper with FlexMove represents another major advance from Philips, highlighting our ongoing commitment to developing dedicated solutions for the Hybrid OR. We're proud to launch FlexMove at the University Hospital Zürich, one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, renowned for its application of state-of-the-art treatments and some of the most progressive diagnostic and therapeutic techniques being used worldwide.”

FlexMove is the result of Philips' global investment in healthcare R&D, which amounted to a total of EUR 698 million in 2010. Minimally invasive surgical procedures are complex and technically demanding, requiring a high quality and highly flexible imaging solution. This type of surgical procedure is becoming increasing popular--for example, in Europe alone, it is estimated that more than 13,000 minimally invasive valve replacements were performed in 2010, a number that has been growing at high double-digit growth rates year on year.

Related Links:
Philips Healthcare
University Hospital Zurich