Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ghent’s Orsi Academy (Merelbeke-Melle) and Nvidia developed an AI tool for surgical training, analyzing real-time images and aiding surgeons. A Belgian first remote surgery from Ghent to Shanghai (9,000 km). Pieter De Backer was involved.
The Ghent’s Orsi Academy, located in Belgium, has teamed up with Nvidia to create a cutting-edge AI tool for surgical training. This technology first appeared at a major international conference and allows surgeons and medical professionals to interact with an AI-powered chatbot during live operations. Officials mentioned that this intelligent system can analyze real-time surgical images and provide tailored explanations to users of all expertise levels.
“We first tested the tool during this congress,” says Pieter De Backer of the Orsi Academy from Merelbeke-Melle.
Is Ghent’s Orsi & Nvidia AI revolutionizing surgery worldwide?
According to officials, the AI tool developed by the Orsi Academy and Nvidia is more than just a knowledge source. This revolutionary system allows trainees and surgeons to ask questions during surgery without disrupting the operating room.
They mentioned that the AI analyzes live footage, offering insights that can improve decisions and patient safety. Officials said that this is 1st step forward in using AI for medicine, with potential applications in robotic surgery, diagnostics, and remote education.
“It can certainly be a tool for the team during long operations, and at the same time it helps people in training or patients who have questions afterwards.”
Pieter De Backer, Orsi Academy
The system can understand even a child’s language. In a Belgian first, a long-distance operation was performed using a robot connected to an operating room in Shanghai, China. The robot can be controlled from Ghent, Belgium, with a visor, control panel, and pedals.
Officials mentioned that the internet connection is stable, so there is little delay, allowing specialists to work accurately from a distance. The test used a chicken leg, and the technology is not yet certified for human operations.
“We work with nanomaterial over a distance of 9,000 kilometres.”
Pieter De Backer
According to Pieter De Backer, patients in remote areas can get care from top surgeons without travelling. It also lets specialists work in multiple places. But there are still challenges. The internet connection needs to be strong and reliable. Researchers are working on solutions to prevent connection problems also officials need to approve the technology before it can be used in hospitals.
