RIS, PACS, and advanced visualization application developer Merge Healthcare has unveiled Merge Ortho, a digital workstation designed for orthopedic specialists. The software package features digital tools for streamlining workflow with image acquisition and manipulation, advanced measurement options, implant selection, automated template placement and manipulation, surgical planning tools, image archiving and web distribution, according to the Milwaukee-based Merge.

In addition Merge Ortho includes several data mining tools; including those for tracking and analyzing implant usage, pain thresholds, recovery rates and outcome statistics. Merge Ortho also includes libraries of digital orthopaedic templates from major  prosthesis vendors as well as an Automatic Imaging Stitching capability that allows users to join multiple images, enabling planning of cases that involve long film x-rays. In addition, the software incorporates ImageSnap Technology, a capability that permits automatic measurements with suggested implant selection and placement, Merge said.