OP4.1 – A user-centered platform for the operation room of the future

With the OR 4.1 project (German: OP 4.1), the idea of ​​the "fourth industrial revolution", which was launched under the keyword Industry 4.0 by the German Government, is transferred to medical technology and clinical processes in the operating room. Starting from existing high-quality German medical technology, the primary goal of the project is to build a platform - in analogy to a smartphone operating system - that enables enterprises of all sizes to bring innovative software solutions via apps to the operating theater of the future in an efficient manner.

The service-based platform is intended to enable the implementation of smart assistance functions that intuitively convey the relevant information to the various actuators in the operating environment at the right time. It will provide access to peri-operative patient and process data while taking the relevant data protection requirements into account.

As a collaboration project between major German research institutes (University of Heidelberg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)) and German companies (SAP SE, Design & Co-Innovation Center, KARL STORZ GmbH & CO. Kg, Siemens AG, mbits GmbH) the project aims at forming the basis for a simple translation of research results into clinical routine and at the same time reducing the market entry barrier for smaller, innovative companies, such as startups from research institutions in Germany. By making efficient use of technology, information and human resources in surgical interventions it shall contribute to the long-term cost reduction in hospitals, the optimization of workflows, and the better and safer treatment of patients.

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWi)

Projektträger: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt