GE HealthCare has launched a digital integration between its bkActiv intraoperative ultrasound system and Medtronic’s Stealth AXiS surgical navigation platform, enabling neurosurgeons to access live ultrasound images alongside pre-operative scans during cranial procedures. The commercially available solution addresses brain shift and enhances precision without disrupting operating room workflows.
Glimpse:
Announced on April 9, 2026, the integration builds on an existing strategic collaboration between the two companies. It combines bkActiv’s real time ultrasound capabilities including image mirroring, color Doppler, and high resolution algorithms with the Stealth AXiS system, which recently received FDA clearance for cranial use. The combined platform supports dynamic decision making in neurosurgery by providing continuous visualization of anatomical changes during procedures.
GE HealthCare and Medtronic have taken a significant step forward in neurosurgical technology by introducing a seamless digital integration between the bkActiv intraoperative ultrasound system and the Stealth AXiS surgical navigation platform. This new solution allows surgeons to incorporate live ultrasound imaging directly into their navigation workflows, offering real time insights that complement pre-operative MRI and CT scans. The integration is now commercially available and is designed to fit smoothly into existing operating room setups without requiring major changes to surgical processes.
One of the major challenges in cranial surgery is brain shift, where brain tissue moves or deforms during the procedure, making pre-operative images less accurate over time. The bkActiv system helps overcome this limitation by delivering continuous, high quality real time visualization. Surgeons can now monitor anatomical changes as they happen, supporting more informed and adaptive decision making throughout complex operations. The Stealth AXiS platform, which recently gained FDA clearance for cranial procedures, unifies surgical planning, navigation, and robotics, making the addition of live ultrasound particularly valuable.
The bkActiv intraoperative ultrasound system comes equipped with several advanced features tailored for surgical environments. These include image mirroring for better visibility from different angles, color Doppler imaging to assess blood flow, and specialized algorithms that improve image resolution. The system also offers sterilizable transducers, single use needle guides, and intuitive controls that allow surgeons to adjust imaging parameters directly from the sterile field, enhancing overall workflow efficiency and safety.
This development strengthens the long-standing strategic alliance between GE HealthCare and Medtronic, which focuses on advancing next-generation surgical technologies. The integrated solution is expected to improve precision in neurosurgical procedures while reducing reliance on outdated imaging data. Both companies will demonstrate the technology at the upcoming American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Scientific Meeting, scheduled for May 1–4, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.
“The integration is designed to support surgical precision by providing real-time insights during complex neurosurgical procedures.”
By
HB Team
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