global networks of participating
physicians a sort of picture archiving
and communication system on
steroids? With a voice command,
our doctor could snap a picture of
the patient's bite and have Google
instantly compare that image
with others in the database (in a
similar manner to Google's Goggles
application).
important information about the
potential diagnosis. The doctor could
inspect the database images and the
spider bite in front of him all in the
same plane of vision.
2. A heads-up display for surgeons
Glass's built-in video functionality
will be useful for surgeons. Imagine a
surgeon live-streaming her procedure
to a class of medical students, or a
surgical resident live-streaming his
procedure to a supervising physician.
Perhaps in a few years we'll even
see a Glass `certification' of sorts
a training hospital guaranteeing
that certain resident-performed
procedures are monitored in real
time via Glass.
go beyond broadcasting video to third
parties. What if Glass could deliver
intraoperative imaging directly to an
operating surgeon?
surgical instruments are, surgical
teams sometimes take periodic
X-rays throughout a procedure, or a
surgeon may insert a scope equipped
with a tiny camera. The image
which the surgeon can reference to
accurately gauge positioning.
integration between Glass and the
imaging system, Glass's screen could
display the X-ray image or video feed
to the surgeon `in eye.' This would
allow the surgeon to maintain focus
on the surgical site, rather than having
to move attention away from the
patient to a peripheral screen.
And I have to imagine that a tool
with the ability to limit distractions
during surgery would improve
surgical outcomes.
3. Eye on site for virtual medicine
The burgeoning field of virtual
medicine would reap major benefits
from a highly portable, easy-to-
operate device with hands-free video
recording and transmitting functions.
play out as follows: A patient in a
rural setting needs to see a specialist
not available in his community.
Rather than have his primary care
physician refer him to a specialist
far away, the patient might arrange a
video appointment with a specialist
without having to leave home.
could call up said specialist on Glass
live during the patient visit, giving
that specialist first-person access to
the patient encounter in real time.
This would save time and money,
not to mention taking integrated care
to new levels.
conference with a specialist to show
what they're seeing on the ground in
real time. A military physician on a
field of battle treating an eye injury,
for example, could consult live with
an ophthalmologist. An EMT called
to the scene of a heart attack could
conference-in a cardiologist to provide
live feedback.
sees, up close and personal. In turn,
the physician or first responder would
have valuable medical feedback placed
quite literally before his eyes.
voice-activate the entire exchange
without having to set up equipment
or have someone hold a camera, both
of which present logistical challenges
in the field. Such instant access would
save money and, more importantly,
time which in medicine tends to
equate with saving lives.
opportunitiesforimprovedefficiency
and quality care. Getting technology
out of the way, as per Glass's mission
statement, would mean allowing
physicians to access and share
powerful information quickly, without
sacrificing their connection to the
patient or procedure at hand.
is fertile ground for software
developers, and it's likely that in a few
years' time Glass and other wearables
be used in ways even Star Trek's
Dr McCoy couldn't imagine today.