The distribution agreement involves bringing GE HealthCare’s OEC 3D Imaging System, in conjunction with DePuy Synthes’ extensive product portfolio, to more spine surgeons and patients across the United States.
The OEC 3D surgical imaging C-arm provides mobile CBCT imaging. It enables intraoperative 3D volumes and 2D high-definition imaging while covering a large anatomical field of view, according to GE Healthcare. It provides precise 3D volumetric images and familiar OEC 2D imaging capabilities. The company says the OEC 3D C-arm includes features for analyzing images, noise reduction, interoperative review, and seamless workflow.
“We know that GE HealthCare’s OEC 3D is a game-changer for clinicians today — from its large field of view and open platform to high-quality reconstructed 3D images,” Phil Rackliffe, president & CEO of GE Healthcare’s Image-Guided Therapies business, said in a news release.
“Through this new collaboration with DePuy Synthes, we’re excited for the opportunity to bring this technology to more spine practices in acute to outpatient settings knowing OEC 3D provides precise and efficient imaging so that surgeons can stay focused on what matters most, providing quality patient care.”
Meanwhile, J&J’s ortho devices business could boost its competitiveness against Medtronic and other companies in the spine surgery tech space.
“Today’s agreement further strengthens our DePuy Synthes Digital Portfolio and will assist in enabling us to help surgeons address an even wider range of procedural needs in Spine,” said Russell Powers, worldwide president of Spine at DePuy Synthes, in a statement shared with MassDevice.
It’s just the latest major partnership for GE HealthCare
Spun out of GE early this year, GE HealthCare has pursued a strategy of forging major partnerships — versus going after huge M&A deals — to better compete.
Other GE HealthCare partnership deals announced over the past year and a half include:
- The company said in January 2022 that it is collaborating with Boston Scientific on cardiac care in Southeast Asia.
- In April 2022, there was news of a global commercial collaboration agreement with Elekta in the radiation oncology space — a move that could help it better compete with Siemens Healthineers.
- An announcement soon followed in 2022 of a partnership with Medtronic to offer various products and services for the growing sector of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and office-based labs (OBLs).
- In March 2023, GE HealthCare announced a long-term joint venture with Sinopharm as it seeks to make additional inroads in China’s medical device market.
