3D Imaging System Improves Surgical Suite Efficiency

A new radiographic system provides precise standard and volumetric interoperative imaging for spinal and orthopedic procedures.

The GE Healthcare (GE; Chicago, IL, USA) OEC 3D is built on GE's OEC Elite C-arm platform, and includes a 31x31 cm CMOS detector designed to provide high resolution images with a field of view large enough to capture L2 to S1 in a single shot. The 200° isocentric sweep creates 3D images with 19x19x19 cm volume and 512³ voxel resolution. In addition to 3D imaging, the system also provides a comprehensive 2D imaging chain, which allows surgical units to store multiple image types within the same patient case for easy reference.


The OEC 3D detailed, fully reconstructed multi-planar 3D images displayed on a 4K ultra high definition (UHD) monitor, all delivered less than 30 seconds after a scan is completed. The GE 3DXR reconstruction engine allows surgeons to analyze the volume reconstructed images quickly and easily with the aid of an advanced visualization package with preferred layouts and views, such as drag and drop, paging, and zoom. Advanced visualization also enables change of perspective views, panning through slices, and adjusting planes in coronal, sagittal, and axial views.

A step-by-step guide is designed to make scanning easy and intuitive by taking users through each stage of 3D scanning, from pre-scan to completion, allowing those with minimal training to complete a scan. For user convenience, familiar OEC icons and interfaces enable control from the C-arm’s OEC Touch, OEC Touch Tableside, remote user interface (RUI), or workstation. The OEC 3D has also been designed to integrate seamlessly with navigation systems, and the open interface architecture is built for future integrations with robotics or AI applications.

“We’re thrilled to introduce OEC 3D to clinicians who want amazing 3D volumetric images quickly during intraoperative procedures,” said Gustavo Perez Fernandez, president and CEO of GE Healthcare Image Guided Therapies. “Built on the successful OEC Elite C-arm platform, the familiar performance and functionality of the OEC 3D C-arm will make 3D imaging routine for complex spine and joint replacement procedures.”

With the rise of minimally invasive procedures such as spinal fusion or lumbar spine scoliosis, seeing all the anatomy of interest, such as cortical rims, pedicle diameters, or orbital floors in fine detail is critical. And complex spine procedures, which include insertion and placement of pedicle screws and prevention or correction of deformities, also require precise views of spinal structures.