ESA develops Augmented Reality Headset that turns astronauts into impromptu doctors

This may throw a curve over most of us as we have not really heard or seen such a thing so far. After seeing how miniature headset units could actually help people with impaired hearing and visual disability, we have just latched onto the peripheral's newly discovered purpose. Surprisingly enough, the European Space Agency recently developed a novel augmented reality headset that integrates the potential to turn astronauts into spontaneous doctors or even surgeons.

Augmented Reality Headset

Apparently, the new system features an ultrasound tool and a pair of intuitive stereo displays. The efficient ultrasound tool makes use of an infrared camera and markers which are placed on the patient's body at the site of interest. Though the augmented reality headset looks significantly promising, the prototype’s mechanism is yet to be revealed in detail.

However, users will be enabled to line up the points on a virtual human and markers on the patient. All of this, nevertheless, will be executed by taking advantage of the 3D augmented reailty cue cards which are displayed in the headset. This ostensibly will allow astronuats to look into the correct location on the body.

The reference images, on the other side, will provide users with an idea of how the images should appear. Such images will then be compared with what the integrated ultrasound displays. The innovative solution aims at helping astronauts diagnose internal bleeding, trauma and breakages. Thus, it brings forth the possibility of treating the condition through a means of an augmented reality headset.

As of now, the prototype solely lends support to ultrasound for its versatility. But, the augmented reality headset might incorporate support for other significant facets as well in the near future.The effective medical diagnostic tool is now reportedly acquirable on the International Space Station.

Via: Wired