Avail Medsystems opens its OR telepresence tech to third-party software

Avail Medsystems announced today that it has launched the first third-party software application through its operating room telepresence system.

The ORtelligence Rep+ surgical software process solution connects operating rooms with medtech experts for surgical training and support, including on-demand virtual expertise and support for instrument identification, location and usage instruction.

Avail — which is presenting at this week’s DeviceTalks West conference — announced a year ago at the same show that it was working on a third-party software application library. This will let the developers of devices and software take advantage of the cameras, microphones, displays, computing power and cloud connectivity built into Avail’s telepresence platform.

Those third-party applications would enhance surgical procedures and deliver efficiencies for device manufacturers, physicians, and patients, Avail said, and could include workflow software, machine learning/AI applications, software-as-a-medical-device (SaMD) products, and software for smart devices.

“We’ve heard from customers that third-party software hosting capabilities within the Avail platform would improve the ability for medtech and healthcare to combine human and technological capabilities in the OR,” Avail CEO Daniel Hawkins said in a news release. “Today is an exciting first step for Avail to be that conduit for the rapidly growing industry of clinical- and process-flow-driven software that will enhance clinical competencies and improve efficiencies in the OR.”

Avail said the benefits of its telepresence platform for third-party software applications include consistent, proprietary hardware in the operating room; edge and cloud computing with a secure ethernet connection, allowing users to leverage software from the cloud; and hardware with inputs including video cameras, audio, and surgical imaging modalities, in addition to a large monitor displaying software.

ORtelligence founder and CEO Tim Donnelly said his company sought “a technology that would provide a reliably high-quality and repeatable experience for our medtech customers regardless of location.”

“We selected Avail for its unique, complete telepresence technology and our shared mission to connect surgical teams with the best available information, expertise and latest technologies,” he said in the news release. “It’s an exciting time for the digital operating room, and we’re looking forward to bringing these technologies to more surgeons and patients.”

Avail also announced improvements to its system, including upgraded software for individuals joining procedures from laptops. The company said its latest update includes enhanced telestration tools, greater visibility of the surgical field, and optimized workflow for an improved user experience.

“Avail’s expert digital technology and product team and our Silicon Valley technology solution mindsets allow us to deliver ongoing innovation, giving our customers access to the latest technologies to provide the best possible care for patients,” Avail Chief Technology Officer James Domine said in the release. “We’re committed to understanding and anticipating our customers’ needs, and these enhancements have been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback. We continue to deliver innovations at the forefront of digital healthcare, and we’re excited about what’s next on our product roadmap.”