In this edition of Infection Control Today^®’s (ICT^®’s) Infection Intel, we hear about new products from Stryker and from Hexaware.

Stryker's Oculan Lighting Platform

(Image credit: Stryker)

Stryker’s Oculan Lighting Platform

Introduction:
Advancements in surgical lighting technology are essential for improving precision and outcomes in operating rooms. The Oculan Lighting Platform, developed by Stryker, addresses common challenges surgical teams face, such as inconsistent illumination, excessive heat, and eye strain. With features like Auto Lux for uniform brightness, Fly Eye technology for shadow-free light distribution, and SHD Mode to enhance tissue differentiation, this innovative platform is designed to optimize visualization during procedures. Its modular design and ergonomic improvements make it a seamless and impactful addition to operating rooms, contributing to better decision-making, efficiency, and patient safety.

To learn more, ICT asked Derek Nelson, the senior director of marketing and commercial operations for Stryker.

ICT: What specific challenges in surgical visualization and illumination did the development of the Oculan Lighting Platform aim to address, and how does it stand out from existing solutions?

Derek Nelson: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss what we feel is an exciting advancement in surgical lighting. The Oculan Lighting Platform was developed to address several key challenges in surgical visualization. Our customers voiced that traditional surgical lights often can provide inconsistent illumination, generate excessive heat, and can cause eye strain, fatigue, and difficulty in differentiating tissues. [Our customers also said] these issues may affect surgical precision and outcomes.

The Oculan Platform solutions stand out as it offers groundbreaking advancements. Its optical architecture provides consistent, shadow-free illumination across the surgical field, while Auto Lux allows for 160,000 lux at the surgical site regardless of spot size. Additionally, the platform’s SHD Mode is designed to enhance tissue differentiation by removing perceived red from the surgical site and designed to reduce glare, enabling a smoother visualization for the surgical staff.

ICT: How is this Oculan Lighting Platform good for infection prevention and infection prevention personnel?

DN: Stryker applies the HeiQ HyProTect antimicrobial coating to high-touch areas of the surgical light, which inhibits the growth of microorganisms on its surface.

(Editor’s note: The HeiQ HyProTecht antimicrobial coating provides a significant advantage for infection preventionists and perioperative nurses by adding an extra layer of protection against harmful microorganisms in high-touch operating room areas. Applied to critical components like the light head, front glass, and control units, this technology helps reduce the risk of microbial contamination, complementing routine cleaning protocols. By inhibiting microorganism growth, it not only supports a safer surgical environment but also extends the lifespan of essential equipment by preventing deterioration, staining, and odors. This innovation enhances overall infection prevention efforts, ensuring cleaner, safer conditions for both patients and surgical teams.)

ICT: Can you explain how the Fly Eye technology and Auto Lux features enhance the surgical team's ability to maintain consistent, shadow-free illumination during complex procedures?

DN: Fly Eye technology is designed to combine light within the surgical light to create even white light distribution in the field while reducing color ringing and shadows.

Auto Lux technology allows Stryker to maximize brightness at all spot sizes. Most surgical lights on the market typically reach maximum brightness (160K LUX) only at a specific spot size at a designated distance from the surgical table. The Oculan Platform will reach 160K LUX across the entire range of spot sizes.

ICT: How does the SHD Mode improve tissue differentiation and reduce glare, and why are these capabilities critical for improving surgical outcomes and patient safety?

DN: SHD mode is designed to enhance visualization by improving contrast and color rendition, allowing for more precise tissue differentiation. This is particularly beneficial in procedures where identifying subtle differences between tissue types is critical. Reducing glare assists with minimizing surgeons' eye strain and is designed to contribute to safer and more efficient surgeries. These capabilities directly align in support of healthcare efforts for better decision-making, reduced operative times, and improved patient outcomes.

ICT: How does the Oculan Lighting Platform’s heat minimization and ergonomic design impact surgeons’ performance and comfort during lengthy surgeries?

DN: The Oculan platform’s advanced cooling system significantly reduces heat emission, improving the comfort of both surgeons and OR staff. The Oculan surgical light is intentionally designed to pull emitted heat away from the surgical staff, intended to create a more comfortable experience directly under the surgical light. These features collectively are designed to help surgeons maintain focus and precision, to reduce fatigue and efforts of improving performance in complex lengthy surgeries.

ICT: How does the modular design of the Oculan Lighting Platform ensure ease of adoption in operating rooms with existing Stryker surgical lights, and what feedback have you received regarding its implementation?

DN: The modular suspension design allows the Oculan Platform to integrate into existing operating rooms with Stryker surgical lights. This modular design works to minimize OR downtime and allows for easier adoption of new technology. This allows for reduced capital spend for new technology and a less invasive upgrade process than previous generations.

Hexaware logo

(Image credit: Hexaware)

Hexaware and PointCross Launch CDAaaS

Hexaware Technologies and PointCross Life Sciences have introduced Clinical Data Automation as a Solution (CDAaaS), powered by the Xbiom™ platform, to revolutionize clinical data management. The solution automates data curation, standardization, and submission, including regulatory-compliant SDTM, ADaM, and TFLs, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. Advanced features like metadata repositories, AI-augmented indexing, and biostatistical tools streamline workflows, while configurable dashboards provide real-time patient insights. Tailored for BioPharma, BioTech, and regulatory agencies, CDAaaS aims to expedite data review and submission, addressing industry demands for cost-effective, time-sensitive clinical trial processes. This partnership marks a significant step in advancing clinical data lifecycle management.

“Hexaware is proud to partner with PointCross to unveil Clinical Data Automation as a Solution (CDAaaS), powered by PointCross' Xbiom platform,” Srinivas Marimganti, the head of life sciences & health care at Hexaware Technologies, told ICT. “This partnership will streamline the clinical data lifecycle by automating data management, curation, and standardization, thereby ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

"The advanced automation features, such as metadata repositories and AI-augmented indexed repositories, aim to enhance data accuracy and operational efficiency," he continued. "With its onboard biostatistical tools and highly configurable dashboards that provide real-time patient insights, CDAaaS will streamline data quality control and query resolution processes. This collaboration is valuable for Hexaware as it leverages our clinical solutions expertise to offer a deployable solution that helps reduce costs and accelerate data submission timelines. Through this partnership, we strive to provide the biopharma and biotech industries with faster, more reliable outcomes, which can mark a step forward in clinical trial efficiency and cost-effectiveness."