Google Glass is still in its infancy, however, the potential breakthroughs that it can offer in the fields of medicine and science are astounding.
Surgeons at the Ohio State University Medical Center are already using the device as a training and consulting tool while in the midst of surgery. Physician wearing Google Glass are able to transmit a live video feed to colleagues and medical students anywhere in the world. This is a true game changer in education as it gives students valuable exposure to live surgery in real-time from a surgeon’s point of view.
Aside from it’s communicational value, Google Glass has the potential to actually be used as an integral part of surgical practice. Physicians hope to be able to call up medical images or other important patient data during the course of surgery.
Now imagine combining Google Glass with procedures that incorporated fluorescently labeled dyes capable of differentiating cancerous tumors from benign growths or nerve from muscle. Surgeons such as Quyen Nguyen are already currently shining light onto labeled tumors and nerves to accomplish this goal (see Lighting up the operating room). With Google Glass, this procedure would become so much easier.
While medical applications sound very cool, what will be of most interest to our readers are the potential laboratory bench applications. How about using Google Glass for fluorescent imaging at the bench? Or calling up protocols while setting up an experiment? The possibilities are endless.
What applications can you imagine for Google Glass in your daily research?
Tags: biotechnology