JMIR Medical Informatics (Jan 2022)

A Platform and Multisided Market for Translational, Software-Defined Medical Procedures in the Operating Room (OP 4.1): Proof-of-Concept Study

  • Magdalena Görtz,
  • Michael Byczkowski,
  • Mathias Rath,
  • Viktoria Schütz,
  • Philipp Reimold,
  • Claudia Gasch,
  • Tobias Simpfendörfer,
  • Keno März,
  • Alexander Seitel,
  • Marco Nolden,
  • Tobias Ross,
  • Diana Mindroc-Filimon,
  • Dominik Michael,
  • Jasmin Metzger,
  • Sinan Onogur,
  • Stefanie Speidel,
  • Lars Mündermann,
  • Johannes Fallert,
  • Michael Müller,
  • Magnus von Knebel Doeberitz,
  • Dogu Teber,
  • Peter Seitz,
  • Lena Maier-Hein,
  • Stefan Duensing,
  • Markus Hohenfellner

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2196/27743
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
p. e27743

Abstract

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BackgroundAlthough digital and data-based technologies are widespread in various industries in the context of Industry 4.0, the use of smart connected devices in health care is still in its infancy. Innovative solutions for the medical environment are affected by difficult access to medical device data and high barriers to market entry because of proprietary systems. ObjectiveIn the proof-of-concept project OP 4.1, we show the business viability of connecting and augmenting medical devices and data through software add-ons by giving companies a technical and commercial platform for the development, implementation, distribution, and billing of innovative software solutions. MethodsThe creation of a central platform prototype requires the collaboration of several independent market contenders, including medical users, software developers, medical device manufacturers, and platform providers. A dedicated consortium of clinical and scientific partners as well as industry partners was set up. ResultsWe demonstrate the successful development of the prototype of a user-centric, open, and extensible platform for the intelligent support of processes starting with the operating room. By connecting heterogeneous data sources and medical devices from different manufacturers and making them accessible for software developers and medical users, the cloud-based platform OP 4.1 enables the augmentation of medical devices and procedures through software-based solutions. The platform also allows for the demand-oriented billing of apps and medical devices, thus permitting software-based solutions to fast-track their economic development and become commercially successful. ConclusionsThe technology and business platform OP 4.1 creates a multisided market for the successful development, implementation, distribution, and billing of new software solutions in the operating room and in the health care sector in general. Consequently, software-based medical innovation can be translated into clinical routine quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively, optimizing the treatment of patients through smartly assisted procedures.