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Surgeon Uses Google Glass and iPad To Capture Live Procedure and Stream It

Posted by Soulskill on from the cool-yet-gross dept.

MojoKid writes "Google (and many other tech manufacturers lately), have been evangelizing the mantra that technology is here to enhance and improve our lives, not get in the way; in the truest sense to 'serve humanity.' Recent events and breakthroughs in the healthcare industry, which make use of leading-edge technology, illustrate this vision better than any marketing or ad campaign could ever possibly hope to. Dr. Rafael Grossman strapped on his Google Glass eyewear to become the first 'Glass Explorer Surgeon.' The procedure involved is called Gastrostomy, a process by which a surgeon inserts a feeding tube into a patient's abdomen. In this case, the good doctor performed the procedure endoscopically, such that he was able to display the entire procedure and the view of it directly as it was being performed. The opportunities for remote medical consultation, mentoring and even real-time guidance are obvious with the sort of technology that products like Google Glass bring to the table. It's always nice to hear stories of how not only 'quality of life' is improved but how lives are actually saved as a result of these magnificent inventions we create."

6 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. How about by Yoda222 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Surgeon uses camera and computer to capture live procedure and stream it" ?

    1. Re:How about by ebno-10db · · Score: 4, Insightful

      "Surgeon uses camera and computer to capture live procedure and stream it" ?

      Problem: that's only slightly newer than "surgeon washes hands before operation". Though w/ the Google hype machine, they might be able to convince people that soap and water are revolutionary.

  2. FDA Approval by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Did the surgeon obtain FDA approval before using the glass.

    Speaking as someone who has written code embedded in Class 2 and 3 medical devices, before Google Glass can become a formal and regular part of the medical environment, code auditors will need to climb all over inside the design. Code walk-throughs? Whole floors of testers validating all code that touches the device.

    Count on it.

  3. Re:Not new by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm amazed it wasn't 3D printed or made in space by Elon Musk.

  4. don't screw up by KernelMuncher · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If a doctor does this and then makes a mistake during surgery, it's an instant lawsuit. It's all being captured on video. Furthermore the attorney can claim the doc was distracted and more interested in experimenting with technology than with providing the best possible patient care.

    1. Re:don't screw up by ColdWetDog · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Endoscopic procedures are always recorded. That image would show, in gory detail, if there was any problem. The Google Gas doesn't change anything.

      --
      Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!