There’s no shortage of options when selecting video transmission solutions for the operating room. Whether upgrading an existing room or building a new one from the ground up, biomedical engineers must carefully evaluate video systems to meet both the needs of clinicians and hospital administrators.

This practical buyer’s guide is built around five key questions that biomeds should ask when evaluating video systems for procedural rooms.

Question #1: Is the Solution Built Specifically for Healthcare?

There is one hidden risk to be aware of when evaluating video solutions for the OR: many video systems that are marketed to biomedical engineers are built on generic consumer technologies. Some are simply consumer products with relabeled certification stickers.

The risk here is that consumer technologies may rely on hospital WiFi and Bluetooth infrastructure. These crowded channels can present interference for the video system, as well as risk the exposure of sensitive patient data over shared networks.

Video solutions that are purpose-built for the challenges of the OR are few and far between, but they do exist. These solutions were specifically designed for use in healthcare spaces, and may even be certified or cleared as a medical device. This gives biomeds assurance that their video system of choice is built to adhere to high standards of performance and privacy.

Question #2: Is the Solution’s Latency Acceptable in the OR?

Surgical procedures hinge on the OR team’s ability to quickly act on visual information in real time. From a surgeon’s perspective, any delay between what’s happening on the procedure table and what they see in a monitor is unacceptable.

For biomedical engineers evaluating video solutions for the OR, that means latency is a major deciding factor. The best video systems for the operating room offer sub-millisecond latency, which is commonly referred to as zero latency.

Near-instantaneous video transmission has traditionally been associated with wired systems, but advances in wireless technology have changed the dynamic. Today, true wireless solutions allow for 4K video at 60fps with latency under 1ms. This means that biomeds are no longer forced to choose between near-instant video in the OR and the convenience of wireless solutions.

Question #3: Is the Connection Reliable?

Clinicians need clear visual information in order to make informed decisions in procedural rooms. Unreliable video equipment can cause monitors to cut in and out, compromise the video feed with static, or drop connection altogether during critical moments of the procedure.

Wired technology often has a reputation for reliable connections, but the reality is more complicated for video equipment in the OR. Wired video systems come with cable clutter that can degrade or break over time, especially when rolled over with equipment carts. If a clinician trips over a cable, it may accidentally unplug and disrupt video connection altogether.

Recent breakthroughs in true wireless video technology make wireless solutions a more reliable fit for the OR. Thanks to these breakthroughs, modern wireless video systems can maintain consistent, uninterrupted transmissions without requiring direct line of sight between equipment.

Question #4: How Much Downtime Comes With Installation?

Upgrading an operating room is no small feat. Adopting a new video solution often comes with extensive downtime while biomedical engineers make sweeping changes to the infrastructure of the room itself.

This is especially true for wired video systems. Biomeds may need to open up walls or ceilings in order to lay lengthy cable runs, or replace existing ones. In some cases the upgrade may require conduit work, which can add time and expense to the installation.

As biomeds assess video systems for the OR, factoring in the logistics of installation is a must. The best video solutions for hospitals will offer quick, seamless installation to keep room downtime to a minimum.

Question #5: What Happens If It Breaks?

When video equipment breaks, it requires split-second attention to keep the procedure on track. In the best-case scenario, this may require the biomedical engineer to swap out a cable or another component. If the malfunction is more serious, it may require a total replacement. This may send biomeds scrambling to procure spare equipment for the operation to continue, like wheeling in a new laparoscopic stack.1

Fixing broken wired video systems can be time-consuming and costly. Some equipment requires a visit from a repair technician, which can take days to get the room back in working order.

Hospitals cannot afford extensive downtime when equipment goes out of commission. Biomedical engineers must prioritize video equipment that is simple to repair or replace when issues arise, in order to keep rooms in working order and procedures on schedule.

Why Biomeds Should Consider True Wireless Video for the OR

Thanks to recent advances in wireless technology, biomeds now have reliable, trusted wireless solutions for video systems in the OR. Rocoto is a pioneer in true wireless video built for the OR, currently employed in more than 30,000 hospital installations worldwide.

Rocoto is a medical-grade wireless video solution that helps clinicians work more efficiently by eliminating cable-related limitations while seamlessly integrating video, medical imaging, and patient monitoring across procedural spaces.

What makes Rocoto such a trusted solution for biomedical engineers:

  • Purpose-Built for Healthcare: Rocoto’s medical video systems are designed as medical devices – FDA 510(k)-exempt and MDR-compliant – for a trusted fit in the OR.
  • Zero Latency: Biomeds trust Rocoto to deliver 4K video at 60fps with sub-millisecond latency to reduce video delays.
  • Reliable Wireless Transmissions: Rocoto technology maintains uninterrupted transmission without requiring a direct line of sight, so the image does not drop at the moment it matters most.
  • Efficient Installation: With Rocoto, biomeds can modernize rooms without re-cabling or conduit work, enabling upgrades between case days without closing suites.
  • Simple Swaps: Rocoto video solutions offer plug-and-play simplicity to help keep procedures on schedule.