Introduction: The implementation of wearable computer technology in public is rising. Google Glass is a wearable computer, worn like glasses, and has the ability to project information in your eye without interfering with your main field of view and responds to voice and tactile commands. This project researches whether wearable computers could be implemented into current neurosurgical workflow and if yes what different applications could be identified.
Methods: Google Glass wearable devices (Explorer Version 2, XE2, Google, Mountain View, CA) were used among team members of the Neurosurgery department for 2 months, to assess certain key tasks: a) potential for communication between members to coordinate care, b) visual augmentation of information in the model OR, c) educational potential of the device by providing visualised cues to residents to master surgical approaches, or act as a pool of useful information that can be recalled such as hospital protocols for procedures.
Results: The wearable device used among team members was able: 1) to establish video-communication via WiFi among team members to coordinate care, 2) to get visual information from different devices such as stereotactic navigators, endoscope towers, or microscopes in your field of view. 3) to store audiovisual information selected for teaching or reviewing surgical approaches and recalled as needed without breaching sterility. 4) to look-up billing codes or ICD codes, 5) to be used as an internet search engine to address physician queries. Performance levels assessed, resulting were in average 10h battery duration per average day work-flow (without external battery). However, with non-stop video recording, battery life was 45 minutes.
Conclusions: Wearable computer technology is entering dynamically the field of surgery. Google Glass was able to be implemented in the daily workflow of neurosurgical practice and provide significant help with tasks related to physician communication, education and augmentation of the OR experience.
Patient Care: This research provided pilot data as a proof of concept idea to identify potential applications in modern neurosurgical patient care. The information obtained will be used to structure a daily workflow that would rely on a timely, efficient physician communication, optimize physician education, aid surgical workflow with audiovisual information in surgeon's view by using wearable computing. The surrogate outcome will be improvement in patient care.
Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to: 1) identify key tasks that wearable computers can perform in neurosurgery, 2) discuss, in small groups potential applications of wearable technology in Neurosurgery, 3) adapt to a workflow integrated with audiovisual information