Securely To and From the Operating Room: An End-to-End Pipeline of Digital Journey

Advances in agile software, machine intelligence based on sensors, data dynamics and pattern recognition and immersive user interface, have fortuitously allowed our data rich environment to custom-develop unique methodology and algorithms.

• Happening now: Customization of contemporary tools that allow real-time dynamic connectivity, information update and feedback loop, not yet possible in OR/medical technology!

The operating room, that centres around providing exemplary care to the sole patient on the table, is a secure closed-door environment mandated to do just that.

In an era where digital health presents opportunities for seamless workflow, access to information and patient care (amongst other advantages and potential benefits), Project neuroArm has a unique approach to digital innovation in health care.

This surgeon-led team at Project neuroArm offers new opportunities harnessed from the big data, thanks to the sensorized surgical devices/robotics, to create a secure cloud platform whereby surgery and surgical performance is automatically recorded, recognized, analyzed and returned to surgeons…. towards improved surgeon learning, skill acquisition, and performance, all of which can be translated to improved patient safety and standardized care.

Such a platform enables advanced care through secure global connectivity in cloud, machine analytics and data safety monitoring in perpetuity for precision surgery. This end-to-end pipeline even returns procedure-performance feedback to the surgeon via secure mobile or web applications. No other operating room technology offers such!

The team with multiple patents in this domain, is presently developing what is named an IoT-OR - literally, a safe and optimal utility of Internet of Things in patient care - from concept to reality.

Molecular, Vibrational Profiling of Brain Tumours/CNS pathology

Ongoing R&D:

Through trans-Canada collaboration (NRC Ottawa UofVictoria and teams within UofCalgary), Dr. Sutherland and his team have successfully established the process of identification of cell-specific contrast agents and molecular/immunological markers for brain tumour (glioma, meningioma) and other CNS pathology such as traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative disease etc.

The team is mobilizing these efforts towards a data-driven digital platform utilization, whereby risk prediction models, machine-learning based quantification of histopathological signatures, or vibrational profiles of disease versus normal brain are interrogated and created. These activities, including intra-operative visualization for both image-guidance and resection control are vital for rapid diagnostics, enhanced patient care and safety.

From Space and Back…

Ongoing R&D:

The evolution of neuroArm using space R&D for terrestrial application to benefit neurosurgical patients, has offered the notion of tele-robotics in low gravity scenario, beginning with low earth orbit such as the International Space Station (ISS). One such theme is the utility of a light weight robot, a version of CellARM, for space telemetry, whereby astronaut mentoring may be performed from earth for emergency procedures. With the rapidly progressing deep space exploration and travel, the Project neuroArm team has been studying and developing a tele-robotic platform accounting for variable delay in space and execution of remote operations.

Thought-storming…

Developing now…..

The application of Quantum analytics/computing is being considered for a state-of-the-art multi-sensory robotic system, a next gen. neuroArm - the neuroArm+CellARM System, to assist fast parallel processing, high-fidelity meta analytics to generate accurate, precise, meaningful surgeon-machine interaction and performance in realtime …

Welcoming thoughts and concepts within and across teams.