Medical computers add AI processing inside operating rooms

Modular systems are combining local computing, video capture and simplified connectivity as hospitals add more imaging and AI workloads.

Hospitals deploying artificial intelligence in operating rooms are creating demand for medical computers capable of processing imaging workloads locally whilst connecting multiple surgical devices.

During the Medical Fair Asia 2026, Seamus Su, Director of the Intelligent Medical Solution Division at Axiomtek Co., Ltd., said in an interview that its new-generation medical panel computer uses a modular architecture that allows hospitals to configure computing capabilities around different applications.

“It can have the capability to equip the capture card for the surgical video streaming and also the image processing,” Su said.

The system can accommodate a graphics processing unit for AI computing, alongside video capture hardware for surgical streaming and image processing. This allows computing functions to be incorporated into the medical workstation rather than relying on a fixed hardware configuration.

Connectivity is another consideration as operating rooms add displays, imaging equipment, and other peripherals. Axiomtek supports Thunderbolt connectivity to reduce the number of separate connections required between devices.

“One cable can connect to other devices, no matter the external display, and also the devices with the power and PCIe,” Su said.

For hospitals, the modular approach could make it easier to expand computing capacity as surgical imaging and AI requirements change, without replacing the entire workstation.