The Most Advanced Surgical Imaging System In Its Class Designed and Developed in Indi

[CitizenOfWorld]

BANGALORE, December 12, 2001 – GE Medical Systems, a business of General Electric Company, has launched the OEC FlexiViewÔ 8800, a new flexible surgical C-arm based on the patented OEC 1k2 fluoroscopic imaging technology. Designed and developed in India using the combined advanced technologies of GE Medical Systems, Bangalore and GE OEC in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, the FlexiView 8800 is a flexible and economical mobile C-Arm with high quality imaging technology and the simplicity and manoeuvrability of a compact position-and-shoot system.

With the continuing growth of minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) along with more procedures moving to smaller outpatient surgery centers, there is a growing demand for size and imaging efficiencies. A small footprint and manoeuvrability have become essential features in crowded operating room (OR) environments, second only to image quality and easy of use. These are all key aspects of the new FlexiView 8800, which offers high quality 1k x 1k imaging with great manoeuvrability on its compact full-sized mainframe. The GE Medical Systems X-ray facility in Bangalore has started shipping the product out to the global market.

D.A. Prasanna, CEO, GE Medical Systems, South Asia Region said, “We have been producing StenoscopÔ surgical C-arms in India for the global market for four years. It was a challenge to design and manufacture successor products, the Steno VÔ and FlexiViewÔ, which were designed, developed and launched in 2001. We’re excited about the product that has been developed – it’s going to bring a radical change to the Operating Room.”

“The “FlexiView was developed in India with the combined advanced technologies of GE Medical Systems, Bangalore and GE OEC in Salt Lake City, Utah. The India team has done a remarkable job in combining the core competencies of these centers, blending these technologies and bringing the product to the global market.” said Naren Gursahaney, CEO, GE Medical Systems, Asia.

FlexiView 8800 has a unique 1000-line resolution, exclusive to OEC’s C-arms, which enables surgeons to see anatomical details more clearly. In addition, the FlexiView has the same easy-to-use imaging workstation found throughout the OEC line. The simple 1k2 touchscreen workstation is intuitive and automatically sets all imaging parameters to obtain the optimum image. Advanced technologies adopted to generate these imaging efficiencies help speed procedures and enhance productivity.

“Globally, we recognized a growing need for a value-priced, basic surgical C-arm with high quality imaging, an uncommon combination,” said Ruben Berumen, President/CEO, GE OEC Medical Systems and General Manager Global Vascular. “None of the existing systems deliver what the FlexiView 8800 does, that is 1k x 1k imaging resolution on its manoeuvrable and compact full-sized mainframe.”

The mobility of this C-arm enables it to move from one procedure to the next quickly and with little effort. Operators can just plug the system into a 110-volt outlet, and it’s ready to fluoro. This system has been specially tailored to suit the needs of General and Orthopaedic surgeons, who increasingly, are becoming more discerning about their imaging equipment and are seeking higher quality imaging in the Operating Room.

Dr. Raghav, Chief Radiologist, Mallya Hospital, Bangalore, an early clinical user of the FlexiView C-arm said that the product is “a joy to use.”

[CitizenOfWorld]

The John F Welch Technology Centre in Bangalore, India is a multi-disciplinary research and development Centre that expands GE’s research and development capabilities, accelerating the Company’s delivery of advanced technology to its global customers. The Centre collaborates with GE’s two other R&D facilities that form the GE Global Research team (the Research Center in Schenectady, NY and the China Research Center in Shanghai) to conduct research, development and engineering activities for all of GE’s diverse businesses worldwide.

Drawing on India’s unique multi-disciplinary skills -- from mechanical and electrical engineering to polymer science and chemical engineering – the Centre incorporates the latest technology and e-engineering tools to facilitate real-time global interaction with GE's businesses, technology centres, customers and suppliers.

The Centre was inaugurated on 17th Sep' 00 and has been named in honor of former GE Chairman and CEO, John F. Welch, Jr.

The John F. Welch Technology Centre is home to state-of-the-art labs working on research and development in the areas of mechanical engineering, electronic and electrical system technology, ceramics and metallurgy, catalysis and advanced chemistry, chemical engineering and process, polymer science and new synthetic materials, process modeling and simulation, information technology, e-Business, power electronics and analysis technologies.

The 545,000 square foot Centre has already filed for more than 17 patents for research and development activities here in Bangalore.

In addition to the GE Global Research activities, the JFWTC is also home to other GE technology organizations including GE Plastics, GE Medical Systems, GE Transportation Systems and the Engineering Analysis Center of Excellence (EACoE).