Potential Uses of Smart Glasses in Enhancing Patient Care

In today's fast-paced world, several businesses face overwhelming challenges from managing vital information to maintaining precision during complex procedures. To address this challenge, smart glasses emerge as an innovative solution to streamline workflows and enhance communication. In healthcare, they provide hands-free access to vital data and real-time collaboration tools. These glasses also empower medical staff to deliver better patient care and improve outcomes in an increasingly demanding environment.

As per PMR, the medical smart glasses market has garnered significant interest among healthcare professionals with their adoption in clinics and hospitals demonstrating their widespread use. In this blog, we will explore comprehensive information and how smart glasses can be used in healthcare. Let's dive in!

What is Smart Glass?

Smart glass, also known as switchable glass is a technology that allows glass to change its properties in response to external stimuli such as electricity, light, or heat. This innovative material can switch from transparent to opaque or modify its tint, providing privacy, energy efficiency, and glare reduction.

Smart glass is commonly used in architectural applications, vehicles, and electronic devices. By controlling the amount of light and heat that enters a space, it enhances comfort and reduces energy consumption, making it a sustainable choice.

What Do Smart Glasses Do?

Smart glasses are wearable devices that integrate advanced technology to enhance the user experience. They typically feature augmented reality (AR) capabilities allowing users to access information, notifications, and applications directly in their field of vision.

Smart glasses can provide navigation assistance, display messages, take photos, and even facilitate hands-free calls. Some models include voice recognition and gesture control making them interactive and user-friendly.

By merging digital content with the real world, smart glasses aim to improve productivity and offer new ways to engage with technology. These glasses offer several advantages to varied industries especially in healthcare, smart glasses improve efficiency, collaboration, and patient outcomes in the healthcare sector.

7 Key Benefits of Smart Glasses in Healthcare

These glasses offer several benefits to user. Seven major benefits include:

1. They offer enhanced productivity by providing hands-free access to information.
2. They include augmented reality features that overlay digital content onto the real world.
3. They provide navigation assistance for easier wayfinding in unfamiliar environments.
4. It sends real-time notifications to keep users connected without needing to check their phones.
5. They provide notable camera functionality for capturing photos and videos on the go.
6. They offer voice recognition for seamless interaction and control.
7. They allow customization options to suit individual preferences and needs.

What are the Side Effects of Smart Glasses?

Smart glasses can present several side effects for users such as:

• Nausea and motion sickness particularly with augmented reality applications that involve movement.
• Dizziness and disorientation which may occur during prolonged use.
• Eye strain, resulting from staring at tiny screens for extended periods.
• Headaches which can be triggered by the visual demands of using smart glasses.
• Potential negative impact on vision especially with long-term use.

How Smart Glasses Are Used in Healthcare?

Smart glasses are revolutionizing healthcare by enhancing the capabilities of medical professionals and improving patient care. They provide surgeons with augmented reality overlays, displaying vital information and 3D visualizations during procedures, which enhances precision and reduces risks.

Smart glasses enable real-time consultations, allowing specialists to remotely guide on-site staff through complex tasks in telemedicine. They also facilitate patient monitoring by tracking vital signs and displaying alerts directly in the user's line of sight. For example, in 2019, Vuzix Corporation, a leading supplier of smart glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) technology, partnered with San Jose-based video telehealth company VSee Lab Inc. to introduce a telehealth and telemedicine smart glasses solution for Vuzix' M300XL and Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses.

A study by the National Institute of Healthcare shows that in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a project aimed to improve primary healthcare services by introducing smart glasses for telemedicine. Results showed that smart glasses were used in 10% of consultations, primarily for curative advice. This increased the referrals to the hospital, facilitating emergency referrals.

Top 3 Smart Glasses for Healthcare Sector

Below are three smart glasses used in healthcare industry:

1. Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2

Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 is designed specifically for industry use, including healthcare. It features a lightweight design and hands-free operation, allowing medical professionals to access patient information, documentation, and live video feeds without interrupting their workflow.

With improved battery life and a powerful processor, it supports various applications and integrations, enhancing surgical precision and collaboration. Its augmented reality capabilities enable real-time data overlays, making it a valuable tool for healthcare providers.

2. Microsoft HoloLens 2

Microsoft HoloLens 2 offers advanced mixed reality capabilities, making it a powerful tool in healthcare. Its ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended wear, while its high-resolution displays provide detailed 3D visualizations.

Healthcare professionals can use HoloLens 2 to conduct virtual consultations, plan complex surgeries, and train medical staff with immersive simulations. The device's spatial mapping technology allows for interactive patient assessments, ultimately enhancing collaboration, education, and patient care in medical settings.

3. Vuzix M400

The Vuzix M400 smart glasses are tailored for professional use in healthcare, featuring a lightweight design and robust functionality. Equipped with a high-definition camera, they allow healthcare providers to capture images and videos for documentation or training purposes.

The glasses support voice commands and integrate with various telemedicine applications, enabling real-time consultations. Their rugged build ensures durability in clinical environments, making them an excellent choice for enhancing efficiency and communication among healthcare teams.

Bottom Line

Smart glasses are expected to greatly impact various industries, particularly healthcare, by enhancing efficiency, precision, and collaboration. Their ability to provide real-time information, facilitate remote consultations, and improve training and patient monitoring makes them invaluable tools for medical professionals.

As technology advances, smart glasses will become even more integrated into daily practices, leading to improved patient outcomes and streamlined workflows. Embracing this innovative technology can revolutionize how healthcare is delivered ultimately benefiting providers and patients in the long run.