Johnson & Johnson MedTech has partnered with Silicon Valley giant NVIDIA to advance the integration of artificial intelligence in surgical procedures.

The collaboration aims to enhance real-time analysis and broaden the use of AI algorithms in surgical decision-making, education and collaboration within operating rooms across J&J MedTech’s digital surgery ecosystem.

Through a memorandum of understanding, both companies will expedite the incorporation of AI into Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s surgical technologies, utilizing NVIDIA’s AI platform for healthcare.

J&J MedTech will utilize the chipmaker's IGX edge computing platform and Holoscan edge AI platform to extend its open ecosystem for surgery, creating infrastructure to deploy AI-powered software applications in the OR.

Shan Jegatheeswaran, vice president and global head of digital at J&J MedTech, said the company's work with NVIDIA will bring advanced edge computing to an open and secure digital ecosystem to power faster development, training and deployment of AI applications at scale.

"We’ve heard from surgeons about their desire to augment their expertise with data-driven insights and improve patient outcomes using AI," he said in an email to MobiHealthNews. "We intend to fulfill this unmet need by supporting access to real-time data analysis and the availability of AI algorithms that enhance surgical decision-making."

WHY IT MATTERS

Surgeons are well-positioned to help integrate AI into modern OR practices. For example, AI algorithms could overlay surgical guidance onto live video or predict how long a procedure will last.

Jegatheeswaran said he believes AI has the potential to improve outcomes for patients by equipping surgeons with real-time insights.

However, he noted one of the biggest hurdles for surgical AI at scale is the closed nature of surgical technologies. 

"Scaling AI will boost surgical efficiency, augment clinical decision guidance and improve surgical training to deliver better experiences for surgeons, clinical staff and patients," he said.

This could allow AI algorithms to analyze live and stored data in real time, lessening the need for the transfer of sensitive patient data.

"Advanced edge computing will enable localized data processing," Jegatheeswaran said. "Applications could function entirely within the secure computing environment, accelerating processing in the OR."

THE LARGER TREND

Proprio, an AI-enabled surgical technology company, has developed an FDA-cleared surgical navigation platform called Paradigm, which utilizes light field technology and I for real-time 3D visualization of surgery.

In addition to the use of AI in surgical procedures, advancements are also underway in the fields of virtual reality and augmented reality to help doctors perform operations.

Zeta Surgical recently secured FDA special 510(k) clearance for expanded functionalities of its mixed reality cranial-navigation system, which offers real-time guidance with millimeter precision and eliminates the need for general anesthesia and rigid skull immobilization.

Mixed reality is also seen as a way to aid surgical planning for transplants.