Sheffield Children’s Hospital has installed a “theatre of the future”, KARL STORZ OR1.
This is only one of a handful of such integrated operating theatres in the UK but it is the first with high definition widescreen digital camera and imaging. The Image 1 HD camera system acquires and delivers a 16:9 Aspect Ratio image that is transmitted to each of three 23” and one 42” LCD True HD monitors to display a widescreen image with 1080 P Resolution (1920 x 1080 with progressive scan technology) with 16.8 million colours. The image is highly magnified with higher definition. Operation is described as being similar to using a microscope, but with a wider field of view, which facilitates both minimally invasive, as well as natural, orifice surgery.
The theatre is used by general paediatric surgeons, paediatric urologists, paediatric ENT surgeons and gastroenterologists, and is available for use 24/7. Live images of surgery for still and video archiving are captured and stored on DVD, while live two-way audio and video links to the theatre seminar room and lecture theatre in the Stephenson building will enhance undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
