“Enhance. Enhance.” If you’ve watched any amount of modern crime dramas, there is a steady stream of internet meme content generated from the idea that technology can break the rules of the universe to see something that isn’t there.
As a lifer in tech, I enjoy making snarky comments during imaginary tech cinema, but I have to admit that I love the creative thought that made these memes a reality.
So what does this have to do with total shoulder arthroplasty 3D planning software being developed by Genesis Software Innovations (GSI)?
This is our first blog article from GSI. We are a young start-up with a lot of experience in the orthopedic implant space and software development.
We are building our company and products to apply fresh creativity to tough problems in orthopedics. We are in the “enhance” business.
But why another 3D shoulder arthroplasty tool? Perhaps a little background is needed to layout our vision at GSI.
In the last few years, advancements have come along in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) in the form of “3D planning”, which typically uses a CT scan to build a virtual 3D model of the patient’s shoulder anatomy.
This has been a significant leap forward from using a few 2D images to plan a surgery and provides a critical tool for surgeons which enables them to virtually place implants in the 3D model to correct the patient’s specific pathologic condition prior to surgery.
The surgeon is able to make pre-operative decisions on the type of surgery that is best for the patient’s condition as well as determine the size, location, depth, and rotation of implants in a way that will correspond to their actual view in the operating room.
All of these things help to limit the total time for the surgical case in the OR, which has obvious benefits to the patient, the surgeon team, and facilities that host the procedures.
So while there are direct benefits for previewing the case inside the OR for all stakeholders, there are benefits outside the OR as well.
When surgeons are able to effectively and efficiently pre-plan surgeries, there are additional benefits to all stakeholders.
Orthopedic surgeon “burnout” due to increased caseload is a concerning trend, and GSI recognizes that the best outcomes for all involved mean that the tools of the trade need to be as accurate as they are efficient, easy, and intuitive for the surgeon to use.
These same tools may also be utilized as a rich communication bridge to demystify the procedure to an understandably anxious patient.
In addition to designing with simplicity in mind, GSI’s vision is to leverage the increasingly accessible advances in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computer vision techniques.
We want to limit the planning time for the surgeon and increase repeatable successes for their patients.
What if we can use these technologies to reduce surgical planning time?
Could we limit or even eliminate the radiation dosage required to plan these procedures?
GSI is focused on the whole lives of the real people that find themselves in the ecosystem of orthopedic surgery.
Our vision is to create great software tools that give our medical professionals the information they need to produce repeatedly excellent, surgical results.
We are striving to release innovation into the world that not only makes lives better for medical professionals but also promotes “best outcomes” in the lives of the people under their care. “Enhance… “
