Requirements and architecture design for open real-time communication in the operating room

Through advances in technology and processing power more and more functionality can be integrated into medical devices and will find its way into the operating room (OR). New complex assistance systems can support the surgeon in performing his tasks and help to obtain better results. With an increasing number of computer assisted devices, the demand for data exchange between them is growing. If these networked systems are able to directly interfere with the patient's safety, their behaviour must be safe and deterministic at all times. Hence for an integration, such systems and their corresponding control signals have to comply with certain realtime constraints. This article analyses the requirements for an open realtime network architecture in the OR. Possible applications and their real-time requirements are introduced. These lead to the description of an open real-time architecture design based on standardized real-time Ethernet hardware. Solutions to integrate legacy devices, while maintaining their existing certifications, are further examined. Finally an experimental system set-up connecting two existing devices is demonstrated.