UK-Developed Pro11 Surgical Headset Gains Ground in U.S. Hospitals

A wireless headset system originally adopted in high-pressure operating rooms across the UK and Europe is now gaining traction in major U.S. hospitals where clinical teams face similar communication challenges.

The Pro11 technology from British-based manufacturer Quail Digital enables hands-free, secure, real-time communication between multi-disciplinary teams working across physically separated spaces.

This headset system offers clinical teams a unique solution to an underlying issue which doctors have said is ‘critical’ in robotic cardiac surgery, hybrid procedures and multi-specialist operating rooms.

One of the most prominent US adopters is University of Chicago Medicine, where Dr. Husam H. Balkhy, Professor and Director of Robotic and Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery, has been using the Pro11 system alongside advanced robotic workflows.

Dr. Balkhy said: “We have been using the Pro11 technology at the University of Chicago Medicine for some time and it has been a complete game changer for us. The minute we started using the lightweight wireless headsets we never looked back.

“It has changed the ambience of the room. There are regular voice tones now and we’re not all trying to shout over each other. Everything is just so much more fluid. The mood of the entire operating room has drastically improved with clear benefits to patient outcomes and it’s thanks to this technology.”

Tom Downes, CEO of Quail Digital, whose US headquarters is in Dallas, Texas, says many doctors had reported that robotic surgery had presented ‘unique’ communication challenges as clinical team coordinates from the surgeon’s console to table-side roles. This sometimes resulted in auditory clarity being ‘compromised by distance, machine noise and procedural complexity’.

However, Mr. Downes insists wireless headsets help ensure that vital information is transmitted clearly and immediately which supports efficiency and safety in procedures that can determine patient outcomes.

“US clinical leaders increasingly emphasize the importance of robust team communication in high-performance surgical environments,” he said. “Ineffective communication has long been linked with procedural delays, avoidable stress and systematic inefficiency, prompting some health systems to explore technological solutions that reduce friction and support team cohesion.”

Mr. Downes believes the growing U.S. adoption speaks to a broader re-thinking of intra-operative communication. “Communication in the operating room should be as seamless and intuitive as possible – especially in settings where advanced technology or physical separation can create barriers. By enabling hands-free, encrypted communication across the entire surgical team, systems like Pro11 help clinicians focus on what matters most: safe, efficient patient care.”

The Pro11 system also uses encrypted digital audio transmission that supports confidential discussion while connecting teams across operating rooms, adjacent preparation rooms, and hybrid procedural suites. The technology can be configured by providers to support training, education, and remote expert collaboration without compromising procedural focus.

Mr. Downes added: “Hospitals across the United States continue to seek ways to modernize intra-operative communication as surgical innovation continues to reshape clinical practice. Quail Digital’s UK-originated solution is now part of that evolving landscape, helping teams stay connected in environments where clarity can make the difference between complication and success.”