Four benefits of implementing 4K medical imaging technology
September 06, 2017
By Timothy Carrigan
From operating rooms, endoscopic suites and catheterization labs, to cardio and neurosurgery rooms, the need is clear: medical professionals require quick access to imagery, with the greatest clarity possible.
4K ultra high definition resolution monitors offer considerable value in medical environments where minute details matter and video imagery may be subjected to close-up inspection.
In general, 4K UHD refers to an input source, display panel or projector that has four times the resolution of high definition video. 4K resolutions significantly enhance an operator’s ability to monitor finely detailed imagery. It also defines much broader color depth, resulting in deeper, richer colors and a more lifelike viewing experience.
The new breed of 4K UHD monitors, projectors, set top boxes, media players and video processors are being hailed as the next generation video standard. However, the limitations imposed by human vision raise some interesting questions about 4K UHD deployments. What applications can benefit most from higher pixel density?
Below are four ways in which 4K can benefit medical facilities by improving quality of care, surgical efficiency and patient safety.
1. Improve operating room results
Human vision is confined to a narrow spectrum of wavelengths and resolutions. The eye is capable of resolving various densities and sizes of pixels, but this ability is greatly affected by the distance between the operator and display, i.e., the “viewing distance.”
Display devices are available in a wide range of sizes. The smaller the screen or monitor, the more densely packed its pixels will be and the closer the end user would need to be to discern a visible difference between lower and higher resolution imagery. With 4K UHD, medical personnel who need to clearly see pertinent information in an operating room can see incremental details on a monitor that are not viewable without 4K technology.
2. Oversee patients with unified monitoring stations
Affordable 4K UHD monitors are increasingly being used with 4K UHD video processors to create “desktop wall” workstations for operators. Offering 8.3 million pixels for display, a desktop wall provides sufficient resolution for even the most demanding applications.
For example, a cardiac unit can monitor hundreds of heart patients’ vitals while zooming in and flagging specific cases without losing sight of other pertinent data.
3. Monitor patients and consult from afar
While in-person exams are obviously the ideal; if a patient is unable to travel, the next best option is to view them in the highest image quality possible while also viewing their digital stats, history and vitals on the same monitor. 4K allows medical professionals to experience a more natural and accurate exchange with patients than if a lower resolution solution is used.
4. Built for future technology
Video processing technologies are continuously evolving. With this in mind, it’s important to monitor trends and identify options that can help future-proof installations. Additionally, the right video processor allows for expandability as more devices are added to the system or as video resolutions change. Hospital administrators who plan for the future of 4K and ultimately 8K, will save money in the long run by eliminating the need to build a new system from scratch.
Ultimately, doctors and medical technicians should have access to the highest-resolution imagery possible to make accurate decisions about patient care. 4K monitors are revolutionizing the operating room, enabling the simultaneous display of patient data, vital signs, video from the surgeon’s forehead mounted camera, video from endoscopes and other instruments. As the price to implement 4K technologies in medical facilities decreases, more hospital executives should take advantage of the benefits 4K has to offer.
About the author: Timothy Carrigan is the director of Technical Services at RGB Spectrum. He is a seasoned and successful Audio Visual Industry professional with over 30 years of passionate experience leading sales, engineering, programming, project management and installation teams to exceed performance metrics requirements. Prior to RGB Spectrum, Timothy served as the Senior Director of West Coast Operations at IVCi and the West Coast Director at Adventures Inc./Mall Radio Network.
From operating rooms, endoscopic suites and catheterization labs, to cardio and neurosurgery rooms, the need is clear: medical professionals require quick access to imagery, with the greatest clarity possible.
4K ultra high definition resolution monitors offer considerable value in medical environments where minute details matter and video imagery may be subjected to close-up inspection.
In general, 4K UHD refers to an input source, display panel or projector that has four times the resolution of high definition video. 4K resolutions significantly enhance an operator’s ability to monitor finely detailed imagery. It also defines much broader color depth, resulting in deeper, richer colors and a more lifelike viewing experience.
The new breed of 4K UHD monitors, projectors, set top boxes, media players and video processors are being hailed as the next generation video standard. However, the limitations imposed by human vision raise some interesting questions about 4K UHD deployments. What applications can benefit most from higher pixel density?
Below are four ways in which 4K can benefit medical facilities by improving quality of care, surgical efficiency and patient safety.
1. Improve operating room results
Human vision is confined to a narrow spectrum of wavelengths and resolutions. The eye is capable of resolving various densities and sizes of pixels, but this ability is greatly affected by the distance between the operator and display, i.e., the “viewing distance.”
Display devices are available in a wide range of sizes. The smaller the screen or monitor, the more densely packed its pixels will be and the closer the end user would need to be to discern a visible difference between lower and higher resolution imagery. With 4K UHD, medical personnel who need to clearly see pertinent information in an operating room can see incremental details on a monitor that are not viewable without 4K technology.
2. Oversee patients with unified monitoring stations
Affordable 4K UHD monitors are increasingly being used with 4K UHD video processors to create “desktop wall” workstations for operators. Offering 8.3 million pixels for display, a desktop wall provides sufficient resolution for even the most demanding applications.
For example, a cardiac unit can monitor hundreds of heart patients’ vitals while zooming in and flagging specific cases without losing sight of other pertinent data.
3. Monitor patients and consult from afar
While in-person exams are obviously the ideal; if a patient is unable to travel, the next best option is to view them in the highest image quality possible while also viewing their digital stats, history and vitals on the same monitor. 4K allows medical professionals to experience a more natural and accurate exchange with patients than if a lower resolution solution is used.
4. Built for future technology
Video processing technologies are continuously evolving. With this in mind, it’s important to monitor trends and identify options that can help future-proof installations. Additionally, the right video processor allows for expandability as more devices are added to the system or as video resolutions change. Hospital administrators who plan for the future of 4K and ultimately 8K, will save money in the long run by eliminating the need to build a new system from scratch.
Ultimately, doctors and medical technicians should have access to the highest-resolution imagery possible to make accurate decisions about patient care. 4K monitors are revolutionizing the operating room, enabling the simultaneous display of patient data, vital signs, video from the surgeon’s forehead mounted camera, video from endoscopes and other instruments. As the price to implement 4K technologies in medical facilities decreases, more hospital executives should take advantage of the benefits 4K has to offer.
About the author: Timothy Carrigan is the director of Technical Services at RGB Spectrum. He is a seasoned and successful Audio Visual Industry professional with over 30 years of passionate experience leading sales, engineering, programming, project management and installation teams to exceed performance metrics requirements. Prior to RGB Spectrum, Timothy served as the Senior Director of West Coast Operations at IVCi and the West Coast Director at Adventures Inc./Mall Radio Network.