Telefónica and Boston Scientific are Implementing a Solution Based on 5G for Heart Operations

– The system will collect information from various medical teams and send it via secure, low-latency, high-bandwidth mobile communications to the specialist technician, who will then be able to visualize and analyze the physician's assistance and provide remote support.

– Telefónica España, through its owned company TedCas, will implement a remote control system for electrophysiology equipment at the, recently launched, Boston Scientific Remote Support Centre (RhythmCARE) in Madrid.

– This initiative underlines Boston Scientific’s commitment to digital transformation, particularly this type of solution that benefits patients.

– TedCas, a company invested by Wayra, has developed the device and the specificities required for the success of the project.

Madrid, July 22nd 2022. – Telefónica España, represented by TedCas and Boston Scientific, a global medical technology leader, intend to collaborate to provide advanced healthcare technology, such as 5G, to the recently created Remote Clinical Support Centre (RhythmCARE) of Boston Scientific that will be located in Madrid, Spain, and will provide remote support to a number of hospitals in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Both companies aimed to develop an enhanced digital support to doctors during procedures on patients with cardiac problems in a real time, remote and digitalized way. The new technology will collect technical information from different medical systems and send it via a secure, low-latency, high-bandwidth mobile communications to the specialist technician. By being able to visualize and analyze the assistance to the doctor, real time remote support can be provided as if in a face-to-face interaction. The system will also support the training of other technicians and doctors.

Thanks to 5G connectivity it will be possible to remotely control diagnostic equipment during a procedure and thus support the medical team in real time thanks to the possibility of transmitting large volumes of data and its low latency.

Tedcas, a company belonging to the Wayra ecosystem and in charge of developing the device according to the required needs, has also played an essential role in this project.

As Micaela Martelli, eHealth Director at Telefónica Spain, points out, "This solution will help to optimize healthcare processes by facilitating remote intervention from expert professionals, avoiding unnecessary travel and thus reaching a larger number of hospitals.This pilot is being developed thanks to the strong commitment to eHealth and 5G made by two relevant players, Telefónica and Boston Scientific".

Angelo De Rosa, vice president and general manager, Rhythm Management EMEA, Boston Scientific said, "I am delighted that Boston Scientific and Telefónica are entering this pilot. Boston Scientific is committed to the digital transformation of the healthcare sector and these kinds of solutions allow the knowledge of experts to be optimized in the field, removing geographical barriers and enhancing their availability, all of which helps to build better patient outcomes."

Telefónica España will contribute its experience in the development of technological solutions in the e-health field and will implement a remote control system for Cardiac Rhythm Management devices and electrophysiology devices and systems at the Boston Scientific Remote Support Centre. Indeed, Telefónica España was one of the first operators to create and implement use cases oriented to surgical operations based on the new technology.