GE HealthCare, Medtronic Integrate bkActiv with Stealth AXiS

GE HealthCare announced a digital integration between its bkActiv intraoperative ultrasound (iUS) and the Medtronic Stealth AXiS surgical navigation system.

Stealth AXiS is now available for real-time advanced imaging during cranial surgeries to complement surgical planning and navigation. The integration adds to a strategic alliance between the duo to accelerate next-gen tech innovation across the enterprise.

Neurosurgeons will be able to incorporate bkActive as a “plug-and-play” real-time visualization tool during procedures using Stealth AXiS without disrupting established workflows.

“Real-time visualization is critical for cranial surgical teams to assess anatomy, navigate changes, and make critical decisions in the surgical suite,” said Heidi Seerden, General Manager, Surgical Innovations, GE HealthCare. “We are proud to build on our long-time collaboration with Medtronic to bring together bkActiv with the Stealth AXiS surgical navigation system in a way that supports our shared goals of supporting surgical precision and clinician confidence.”

During cranial procedures, surgeons can encounter “brain shift,” a natural movement of deformation of the brain during surgery that reduces the accuracy of pre-surgical images. bkActiv offers real- time visualization that can help assess brain shift by supplying the live iUS image to Stealth AXiS, where it can be viewed alongside pre-op MRI or CT images.

It also provides an image mirror feature that duplicates the ultrasound image on the scanner’s glass user interface so staff can see the ultrasound image when the display monitor is turned toward the surgeon. A sensitive color Doppler helps visualize blood flow during surgeries, and specialized algorithms support uniform image resolution and detail around areas of interest.

Fully immersible transducers provide easy sterilization and single-use needle guides. Transducer Smart Button tech allows surgeons to freeze, store, and print images with one press, and a sterilizable remote control lets the surgeons control the bkActiv scanner from the sterile field.

GE HealthCare and Medtronic plan to debut the digital integration at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Scientific Meeting.