Mike Lobinsky, CEO of EOS imaging, discusses the key trends in the orthopedic imaging space and where EOS is headed in the next year.
Question: What technology trends are you most excited about for 2019?
Mike Lobinsky: We are really excited to see the growing enthusiasm in online X-ray-based preoperative planning that can leverage patient-specific surgical simulations to better predict outcomes. We believe that having the ability to use low-dose X-ray along with 3D images, rather than modalities that deliver higher dose of radiation exposure such as CT will benefit patients, providers and payers. In addition, being able to use functional X-ray images such as bending studies or sitting/standing images to leverage even more patient-specific data represents the next generation of surgical planning.
Another opportunity we're excited about here at EOS is connecting the patient-specific surgical plan to the operating room in a seamless way that adds value. We call this EOSlink and formally announced its launch on April 15. Integrating the surgical pre-plan into intraoperative execution solutions such as computer-assisted navigation devices, robotic-assisted systems, and spinal rod benders that are able to intake the planning information will help deliver a true end-to-end integrated solution.
Lastly, artificial intelligence that can help drive predictive analytics is a trend that we believe will have substantial impact on the spine and orthopedic space in 2019 and beyond. As AI finds its way into radiology and orthopedics, there are countless treatment algorithms, classification systems, and other areas that have the potential to streamline and improve aspects for all of those involved in the orthopedic patient care pathway. It will be fun to see where this goes and how we can leverage AI to accelerate innovation.
Q: Where do you see your company heading over the next two to three years? What should surgeons expect?
ML: EOS will continue to grow, identify new opportunities that better improve the continuum of care from imaging through surgical postoperative assessment, and develop new innovations that provide increased value to the patient, surgeon and hospital/private practice. Some of these innovations include continued expansion of our product portfolio with a focus on our Advanced Orthopedic Solutions (3D services along with spine, hip and knee) and connectivity to the OR. We are focused on providing an end-to-end solution, from low-dose, weight-bearing imaging, preoperative planning in 2D and 3D, and connecting the EOS surgical plan to the OR to leverage existing robotic and navigation-based surgical execution technologies. EOS will continue to work to decrease dose, increase exam speed to benefit patients, and improve patient throughput. All while continuing to deliver the high image resolution our customers expect.
Surgeons that are in a private practice environment who would like to implement our differentiated solution can expect EOS to offer acquisition options that may be a better fit compared to a traditional capital purchase. One example of this is our recently introduced EOSone program. EOSone is a pay-per-use offering for private practices or other facilities that would prefer to operationalize their EOS imaging system and pay as they go rather than allocate capital for the acquisition. We include the EOS imaging system, installation and training, ongoing maintenance agreement, and a direct to patient marketing to help promote the differentiated offering, all billed at a per image cost.
Q: How is your company evolving to meet the needs of value-based care?
ML: As physicians think about the patient experience across the entire care setting, we at EOS are constantly looking for ways to integrate our innovative solutions into the care pathway with the goal of helping deliver better outcomes and value to all stakeholders. There are reasons why we are seeing the increased adoption of our EOS systems by orthopedic care providers and facilities. Being able to use low-dose, weight-bearing, biplanar X-ray to diagnose adult and pediatric patients is beneficial to patients as well as the healthcare system. We are providing multiple benefits to patients, providers and payers, effectively enabling a win-win-win.
Leveraging the data EOS continues to collect will help us drive continuous development in postoperative surgical simulations and predictive surgical outcomes. The goal is to use our rapidly growing EOS data sets to drive innovation that help surgeons lower intra- and postoperative complications, reduce readmission rates, realize fewer revisions and ultimately achieve higher patient satisfaction.
At EOS we have the unique ability to provide our highly accurate preoperative surgical solutions along with patient-specific implant information, which can help our customers improve OR efficiencies. An example of this is using our EOSapps preoperative planning solutions to determine what implant inventory and instrument sets need to be sterilized and brought to surgery for each specific procedure. Leveraging the benefits we can bring regarding accuracy and integration to drive better predictability and reduce costs is a solution we are excited to be offering.