Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41973356›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of computer assisted radiology and surgery2026

Safe and usable ensemble formation for networked medical devices: a comparative study of 5G, NFC and pop-up pairing.

Okan Yilmaz, Simon Kißmann, Marlene Goschkowski, Philipp Schollmaier, Frank Beger, Dario Wieschebrock, Philipp Feodorovici, Jan C Arensmeyer, Detlef Fleer, Dubravka Maljevic and 2 more

Abstract readComparative Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of computer assisted radiology and surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Okan YilmazChair of Medical Engineering, Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering of the RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074, Aachen, Germany. yilmaz@hia.rwth-aachen.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6296-5711
Simon KißmannChair of Medical Engineering, Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering of the RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
Marlene GoschkowskiChair of Medical Engineering, Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering of the RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
Philipp SchollmaierChair of Medical Engineering, Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering of the RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
Frank BegerBeger Design, Im Zollhafen 12, 50678, Cologne, Germany.
Dario WieschebrockSurgiTAIX AG, Kaiserstraße 100, 52134, Herzogenrath, Germany.
Philipp FeodoroviciDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Jan C ArensmeyerDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Detlef FleerOR Management, University Medicine Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany.
Dubravka MaljevicMedical Engineering, BG Kliniken IT-Services gGmbH, 10178, Berlin, Germany.
Klaus RadermacherChair of Medical Engineering, Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering of the RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
Armin JanßChair of Medical Engineering, Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering of the RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074, Aachen, Germany.

Funding

Germany, Federal Ministry for Transport 11-12212Germany, Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space 03RU3U02C
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeIncorrectly formed medical device ensembles can cause therapy to be performed at the wrong site or display safety-critical data from the wrong patient. This early, exploratory study investigates which wireless ensemble-creation techniques minimize risk while remaining safe and usable in intraoperative workflows. The goal is to identify the most promising methods among 5G, NFC, and pop-up pairing.

methodsEight techniques (5G proximity/location, pop-up pairing, QR Code, Near-Field Communication (NFC) Tag and Reader, device-ID copying, manual selection, device interaction, and SDC context lookup) and five clinical situations (patient bedside, transport, prep room, operating room (OR), post OR) were examined. Five interoperability and clinical experts rated the importance of risk- and usability-related criteria for each situation, as well as how well the criteria are being fulfilled by the different methods. The criteria weights and the method-specific ratings were combined in a quantitative decision matrix to identify the three most promising approaches, which were implemented in a click-dummy prototype and evaluated through formative testing with two clinicians.

resultsThe analysis rated 5G, NFC, and pop-up pairing the highest when combining all categories. Subsequent formative tests with clinicians from the University Hospital Bonn support technical feasibility and highlight clear trade-offs. In this small sample (n = 2), NFC was perceived as the safest and most preferred technique. 5G offered speed and automation potential, but raised critical concerns regarding accuracy. Pop-up pairing was considered flexible yet error-prone when multiple devices entered pairing mode simultaneously.

conclusionThis is a systematic comparison of wireless SDC-ensemble techniques. Early clinical feedback favors NFC for its perceived safety, while 5G and pop-up pairing approaches require additional refinements to mitigate residual risks. As one participant pointed out: "I prefer a reliable and slower over an automated but error-prone method".

Indexed as

Computer Communication NetworksEquipment and SuppliesEquipment SafetyMedical ErrorsWireless TechnologyHumansDigital operating roomEnsemble formationHuman-machine interactionInteroperabilitySDCService oriented device connectivity

Identifiers

PMID41973356

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.