Last Friday, the Alkmaar site of the Noordwest Hospital Group became the first hospital to use 'Smart Surgery Glasses'. This allows experts from outside the hospital to be involved in surgery for advice and support. During the treatment of a patient with an aneurysm in the abdominal aorta, the vascular surgeon wearing the smart glasses was able to receive the real-time support of a product expert, who was not present in the OT. The smart glasses offer a solution in corona times.
Innovation in the OT
The Iristick glasses are equipped with a microphone and two cameras, including one with an optical zoom lens. The expert can control this camera remotely and, if desired, follow the progress of the operation in close-up. The doctor can control the glasses with voice commands. It is the first time worldwide that this innovation has been used. To make this possible, Noordwest is partnering with Medtronic, one of the world's largest medical technology companies. During the procedure, a Medtronic technical expert was able to assist the physician in placing a vascular prosthesis through the inguinal region.
Optimal and safe care
For vascular surgeon Dr. Robin Hulsebos, it was a new and positive experience. “The glasses make it possible to consult an expert at any time, wherever they are. This offers a very important extra opportunity to provide patients with optimal and safe care. Especially in the age of corona, it is important to have as few people as possible present in the OT. Thanks to the glasses, we can now continue to call on external experts. We can also advise external parties. That means better results for the patient, which is what it's all about.”
Sharing expertise
In this way, it is possible to support surgeons remotely in the current situation with the coronavirus. Medical professionals can also use these solutions in the future to share knowledge and expertise in a fast and accessible way.
Source: Noordwest Ziekenhuisgroep NL, Nieuws and Medronic NL
Read the original article in Dutch here.