AI-driven tech partnerships aim to enhance surgical planning, imaging

Editor's Note

Olympus Corp has introduced an AI-driven surgical planning tool designed to enhance precision in liver, lung, and kidney procedures by converting CT and MR scans into real-time 3D models. Meanwhile, the 16-year partnership between GE HealthCare and NVIDIA has evolved to focus on automating routine imaging tasks, such as taking X-ray and ultrasound images, as part of "AI-powered autonomous imaging." Both reports appeared in Healthcare Business News on March 18.

According to the outlet, the Olympus technology was developed in partnership with medical imaging software company Ziosoft. It is designed to support thoracic, liver, and urologic surgery by providing highly detailed 3D models of patient anatomy. In thoracic procedures, the tool creates lung models to aid in cancer treatment planning. For liver surgery, it maps blood vessels and tumors to assist in organ-sparing techniques. In urologic surgery, it facilitates minimally invasive nephrectomies by precisely outlining tumor size and location.  According to developers, the platform may also benefit surgical education, particularly in training fellows and early-career surgeons to navigate complex procedures. 

Announced at GTC 2025, the GE-NVIDIA collaboration involves using robotic simulation and synthetic generation tools, which are part of NVIDIA’s Isaac for Healthcare platform, to virtually test autonomous GE imaging systems prior to deployment. The goal is to alleviate physical strain and help guide users through the process using AI imaging workflows and robotic navigation as patient demand rises and staff shortages increase imaging workloads.

A more recent announcement made on March 24 by Modern Healthcare details a partnership where Fujifilm Healthcare Americas Corp will integrate Us2.ai’s AI software into its Lisendo 800 cardiovascular ultrasound, automating echocardiogram analysis and reporting by providing measurements and diagnostic insights aligned with international guidelines. Echocardiography, the standard imaging method for the heart, can take up to 90 minutes and requires specialized operators—who are often in short supply. A 2024 study in the Journal of Echocardiography found Us2.ai’s software significantly cut measurement and report creation time, suggesting it could help streamline workflows in cardiac imaging.

While the Olympus’ launch reportedly aligns with the company's "broader strategy to integrate AI into surgical workflows," GE's move is furthering integration of NVIDIA technology into the company's imaging solutions, noted both news stories. In addition, the Modern Healthcare article noted Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s new robot navigation technology also uses Nvidia’s AI software.