Basingstoke, November 4th, 2015 - Visualisation technology for medical has advanced rapidly, from analog to digital to high definition -- to 3D and now 4K. High-quality displays will continue to be invaluable medical tools, whether it’s the enhanced depth of a 3D image, or the increased contrast, resolution and level of detail enabled by 4K technology. State-of-the-art visualisation technology is now a part of a medical team’s arsenal, and is a critical resource for every area of a medical environment.

While 4K and 3D technologies are common at the cinema and even at home, high-quality visualisation for medical applications is also now becoming a priority. In fact, medical may be the most important application of high-resolution video.

Whether in the OR during a procedure, or in the classroom for education and training, the highest possible video resolution is a must.

3D imaging provides enhanced depth during procedures and for effective training and education. ​ Physicians are provided a level of visualisation that they were unable to realize in 2D. Physicians have also noted that the ability to record and display in 3D versus 2D gives surgeons a realistic depth of field and helps them navigate through a procedure. ​ The HMS-3000MT 3D medical head mount display provides a more in-depth surgical training experience and ​ has recently been studied by La Sapienza University of Rome which indicated ​ that the use of 3D viewing ‘represents a huge improvement ​ in terms of depth of surgical field, maneuverability, image detail and suture times’.

4K capture and display is also rapidly expanding the limits of what medical teams can visualize. 4K offers four times the resolution of standard HD, resulting in virtually no pixilation and giving surgeons and their teams a greater sense of depth to the image.

Both technologies – 3D and 4K – offer an incredible range of benefits for a medical environment and, certainly both can co-exist at a healthcare facility.

Sony has developed 4K display technologies for use in the medical environment – offering 4 times the resolution and clarity of HD and with more accurate colour reproduction – to allow surgeons and their teams to see a procedure or an image on a monitor in far more detail. Initially these include 4K Surgical Monitors, both a 31-inch (LMD-X310MD) and 55-inch (LMD-X550MD) size. Looking toward 2016, Sony will unveil a 4K medical recorder, medical IP Converter and a 4K version of its Content Management System – ultimately an End-to-End 4K System and a full 4K over IP Medical Workflow.

These new technologies, as with many of Sony’s medical technologies, build upon a core expertise in 4K broadcast to develop 4K visualisation ​ for the OR and also many other areas of a medical facility.

That’s certainly the case with 4K. Sony’s professional 4K cameras are currently shooting feature films, TV shows, documentaries, commercials, videos, sports and more. Sony 4K technologies are already proven for digital projection in cinemas, sports broadcasts, live events, and home viewing on consumer 4K TVs.

Now, the clarity, resolution and detail of 4K images hold great potential for increased visualisation during or after a surgical procedure.

4K provides the highest resolution available today as a window to the body which is important for minimally invasive, microsurgical procedures such neurology and ophthalmic, and open general surgery, and for education and training. Endoscopic 4K camera systems are already beginning to be introduced into the market. ​ Sony 4K displays are capable to work with all of these new systems. ​ Improved visualisation can help to improve workflow. 4K technology has the potential to provide a significantly better view of the surgical procedure.

Medical teams using 4K displays also have the capability to see a “quad-split” view of four full HD signals (1920x1080) on one display, helping them view different sources. ​ It’s important to point out, because HD monitors on the market today would only be able to display ¼ of HD in each quadrant because they don’t have the 4K resolution to support it. ​ Surgeons will now be able to see 4 simultaneous full high definition sources such as an endoscopic camera, room camera, radiology exam and patient vitals.

Both 4K and 3D technologies will continue to evolve as the needs and requirements of medical professionals expand and increase. For more information, visit: www.pro.sony.eu/medical