Wearable tech is not all about Google Glass and social media apps that can be used on the go. Fortunately, the medical field can benefit from such innovative products, as well.
The job of phlebotomists will get much easier once they start using Evena Medical‘s invention, the Eyes-On Glasses System. At the same time, the comfort of patients will increase considerably, as doctors or nurses no longer have to prick them multiple times to find a vein.
Evena implemented in these smart glasses a patented near-infrared (NIR) visualization technology.
In addition, the device makes use of Epson’s Moverio “smart glasses” technology that implies overlaying virtual content on real objects. In an interview with Mashable, Anna Jen, the director of new products and new ventures for Epson America stated that “It’s extremely gratifying that one of the first health care solution concepts featuring Epson’s Moverio smart glasses technology is one that improves both patient comfort and nursing efficiency.”
In terms of connectivity, the Eyes-On Glasses feature Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and even 3G. Should the medical personnel handling a particular patient require a second opinion, the captured can be transmitted to remote locations using any of these wireless technologies. To make the collaboration between nurses and doctors even more efficient, a two-way audio conferencing system has also been included. Needless to say, this feature could help a lot with the training of the new staff. Photos and videos can be saved on the built-in storage, just in case these need to be used as references in the future.
Hopefully surgeons will get to wear smart glasses in the future, as well, since they could use more features besides magnification. VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) could really make a new home from hospitals, as the medical field does indeed require some revolutionary changes.
There has been no word on when the Eyes-On Glasses will be available, nor on how much they will cost, but I do sincerely hope that medical personnel will get to use it very soon. Time is of essence in this field, and each device that helps nurses and doctors save time should be widely available. Given the new imaging technologies implemented in this device, the Eyes-On Glasses certainly won’t come cheap, but hospitals should make a financial sacrifice and acquire them.
If you liked this post, please check the robot phlebotomist that employs IR light and ultrasounds to find your veins, and the body art used by some Londoners to raise blood donation awareness.
