GE Healthcare and Medtronic Announce Digital Integration for Surgical Navigation

New integration between GE's bkActiv intraoperative ultrasound and Medtronic's Stealth AXiS navigation system aims to enhance real-time visualization during cranial procedures.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 5:06pm

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A translucent, X-ray-like image showing the internal components and structure of a surgical navigation system and intraoperative ultrasound device working together, conveying the advanced technology and precision of the integrated medical devices.Cutting-edge medical imaging and navigation technologies converge to enhance surgical precision and outcomes.San Antonio Today

GE HealthCare has announced a digital integration between its bkActiv intraoperative ultrasound (iUS) system and the Medtronic Stealth AXiS surgical navigation system. This integration will allow neurosurgeons to incorporate the bkActiv system as a real-time visualization solution during procedures using the Stealth AXiS navigation system, without disrupting established workflows. The integration is designed to help clinicians assess anatomy changes such as 'brain shift' by supplying the live iUS image to the Stealth AXiS system, where it can be viewed alongside pre-operative MRI or CT images.

Why it matters

This integration aims to enhance surgical precision and outcomes by providing neurosurgeons with real-time, advanced imaging capabilities that can help address challenges like brain shift during cranial procedures. By combining GE's ultrasound expertise with Medtronic's navigation technology, the companies are working to advance the state of the art in surgical visualization and workflow.

The details

The digital integration between the GE bkActiv iUS system and the Medtronic Stealth AXiS navigation system is now commercially available. The Stealth AXiS system was recently cleared by the FDA for cranial procedures in the US, bringing planning, navigation and robotics into a single integrated solution. The bkActiv system is designed to provide real-time visualization, including features like image mirroring, sensitive color Doppler, specialized algorithms, and sterilizable controls to support neurosurgical workflows.

  • The digital integration was announced on April 9, 2026.
  • The Stealth AXiS system received FDA clearance for cranial procedures in the US recently.
  • GE HealthCare and Medtronic plan to debut the integrated solution at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Scientific Meeting, May 1-4, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.

The players

GE HealthCare

A leading global medical technology and pharmaceutical diagnostics company that provides a broad range of products and services related to medical imaging, patient monitoring and diagnostics, drug discovery and biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies.

Medtronic

A global healthcare technology company that develops and manufactures innovative medical devices, therapies, and services to treat a wide range of medical conditions for people around the world.

Stealth AXiS

Medtronic's surgical navigation system that brings planning, navigation and robotics together into a single, integrated solution to deliver real-time insight in the operating room.

bkActiv

GE HealthCare's intraoperative ultrasound (iUS) system designed to provide real-time visualization and support workflows in the neurosurgical suite.

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What’s next

GE HealthCare and Medtronic plan to debut the integrated bkActiv and Stealth AXiS solution at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Scientific Meeting, May 1-4, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.

The takeaway

This digital integration between GE's ultrasound expertise and Medtronic's surgical navigation technology aims to enhance real-time visualization and workflow for neurosurgeons, potentially improving precision and outcomes during complex cranial procedures.