MediLive helps surgeons learn the newest techniques in patient care with live-transmissions of surgeries to medical conferences worldwide.
Challenge
MediLive had originally been using satellite for its live transmissions – about 90 percent of its video was transmitted via satellite. This caused two main challenges for MediLive.
First, with satellite, video feeds could only be sent in one direction. This meant that surgeons and conference hosts had to communicate over the telephone. Second, satellite offered little to no flexibility, as live transmissions needed to be booked in advance, often weeks before a conference.
Satellite limitations
The satellite timing limitations were also a major concern for surgeons. While the conference programs have to fit into a booked time slot, the operations themselves can be very unpredictable and cannot be fixed to a specific block of time.
As a result, viewers would either miss the final result of an operation, or the entire operation would fail to air due to time-delays. This added an additional stress to surgeons, whose only concern should be on the patient.
With this in mind, MediLive sought a highly flexible and reliable video solution to stream live surgeries to remote conferences. The solution also needed to be highly mobile, as MediLive provides its services worldwide.
“Having searched for a live streaming solution for a while, we are very happy that we found Haivision’s Makito X. It’s exactly what we need.”
Solution
Multi source streaming
MediLive partnered with Haivision to create an effortless streaming solution for point-to-point live-transmissions. Using Makito X encoders and decoders, MediLive can now offer flexible scheduling to stream surgeries in real-time.
In addition to live feeds from the operating table and room, MediLive also streams multiple technical sources including x-rays, ECG, TEE, endoscope and, in special cardiac cases, OCT and IVUS. MediLive is then able to mix the different sources into one full HD image and stream it to medical conferences, using the public internet.
TalkBack feature
Additionally, the Makito X’s TalkBack feature makes it easy for conference hosts to communicate with surgeons. No other system had this ability.
Streaming from hospitals can be difficult due to the network security. With Haivision’s SRT protocol, MediLive can easily work with any hospital’s firewall and be able to securely stream live content with minimal IT involvement. In the case of limited bandwidth, HEVC gives MediLive the possibility to still transmit video in high quality.
Solution components
Related stories
Results
Flexibility and mobility
With medical conferences attended by up to 10,000 physicians, it was important that the audience view the right material, at the right time. MediLive now has a high quality and reliable streaming solution to make sure attendees receive the best viewing experience.
With Haivision’s video solution, MediLive and its customers no longer need to worry about the timing limitations associated with satellite distribution. Haivision’s Makito X has the flexibility and mobility to stream at any time and from anywhere.
Direct conversations
MediLive often manages up to 25 sources simultaneously. Since Haivision’s SRT protocol is firewall friendly, it can easily stream multiple sources from any hospital directly to medical conferences, over any network.
Additionally, with the Makito X’s TalkBack feature, doctors from remote conferences can easily engage in direct conversations with surgeons. MediLive no longer has to rely on the telephone for low latency communication.
About MediLive
MediLive specialises in live transmissions, video productions and conferences in the medical industry. Headquartered in Germany, MediLive offers its services worldwide and streams medical operations in realtime to some of the largest cardiovascular conferences in the world, including TCT, EuroPCR, EACTS, PCI, and to major medical companies.