Four physicians, including three orthopedic surgeons, at the University Hospitals Health System in Cleveland found that medtech company Lazurite's ArthroFree wireless arthroscopy camera cut down on assembly and disassembly time by 45 percent and 23 percent respectively.
The ArthoFree system is the first wireless surgical camera for endoscopy and arthroscopy with FDA clearance. It eliminates the need for power cords, which makes set up and take down easier, according to a Dec. 12 press release.
The study was conducted in a simulated operating room at the university, using nurses and scrub technicians with varying degrees of arthroscopy experience.
Based on costs per minute, the study says ArthoFree could save $12 to $117 per patient. The study was part of a collaboration between the Lazurite and University Hospital Ventures, the innovation and commercialization arm of University Hospitals.
"This study, while done under ideal conditions, did demonstrate that the ArthroFree System will save operating room time," Jacob Calcei, MD, an orthopedic sports expert at the university, and an author of the study, said in the release. "Based on my experience, I am optimistic about the time saving and ease of use advantages of the ArthroFree wireless system."