Olympus unveils latest 4k integrated operating theatre

Olympus has unveiled its latest Endoalpha integrated theatre at University Hospital Ayr – the first 4K integrated theatre in Scotland.

It aims to allow the clinical team in Theatre 2 at the hospital to operate with greater visibility, leading to increased confidence and precision for better patient outcomes.

Offering four times the resolution of High Definition (HD), the Visera 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) camera platform provides brighter, colour-rich images and enhances depth, transforming procedure clarity and creating a fully immersive operating experience.

Senior product manager for systems integration at Olympus, David Gillett, said: “We’re proud to have been given the chance to work alongside University Hospital Ayr to bring the first 4K integrated theatre to the people of NHS Ayrshire & Arran. Offering the very best environment for their clinical team, the brand new Endoalpha theatre provides significant benefits including improved efficiency and patient and staff experience.

“We look forward to supporting the team going forward and are excited about the difference this will make to the lives of all those coming in contact with the brand new integrated theatre.”

In addition to the 4K capabilities, the hospital has invested in other technology for their new integrated theatre. This includes the very latest surgical energy and equipment – Thunderbeat Type S – which integrates both advanced bipolar and ultrasonic energy. This will enable surgeons to select the option most appropriate to their procedural needs, reducing the need to change between multiple devices, allowing for quicker operating times.

A touch panel within the sterile field enables surgeons to have full control over all medical and peripheral equipment. Each surgeon can select their own preferences for every different type of procedure.

This turnkey solution delivered from Olympus in conjunction with the hospital staff, included the installation of ceiling mounted pendants, surgical lights and a feature wall within the main theatre, with multi-coloured energy-efficient mood lighting included. A new surgical scrub room, dirty facility and prep room also formed part of the project, and a video teaching link from the new integrated theatre to the hospital’s training rooms was also installed.

Professor Majid Ali, clinical director of surgical specialities and consultant in General and Upper GI Surgery at University Hospital Ayr, said: “It is an exciting time for us. Our new integrated theatre has opened Ayrshire and Arran up to exceptional opportunities. It means we are more appropriately equipped as a centre for training in laparoscopic surgery. It also enables us to teach and share medical knowledge nationally and internationally, putting NHS Ayrshire & Arran on the map. In addition, it will significantly improve our ability to recruit and retain high quality surgeons, theatre staff and trainees. All of this means that we are better able to benefit the health and wellbeing of the people of Ayrshire, Arran and beyond.”