Design Proposal
Virtual Reality Assistance for Anesthesiologists
Identify needs that justify an electrical and computer engineering problem-solving effort
Improvements in Artificial Intelligence implementation
Improvements in Cybersecurity protection
Improvements in environmental designs of computer components
Minimizing energy consumption (power optimization)
Enhancing reliability & minimizing risk
Improvements in VR implementation
2.
Design Objectives:
Enhance Monitoring Efficiency: Provide anesthesiologists with a seamless method to monitor patient vitals without the need to divert their gaze from the patient, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and patient safety.
Real-Time Data Integration: Ensure real-time display of critical patient vitals (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation) within the VR environment, overlaid on the live view of the patient.
User-Friendly Interface: Design an intuitive interface within the VR headset that allows easy manipulation of the data display without disrupting clinical procedures.
Enhancing Patient Comfort: Address patient anxiety by ensuring continuous monitoring of vitals, thus reassuring patients of the anesthesiologist's vigilance throughout the procedure.
Design Background:
The practice of anesthesiology requires continuous and attentive monitoring of patient vitals to ensure safety during surgical procedures. The traditional setup requires anesthesiologists to alternate their focus between the patient and separate monitoring devices, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased risk. Integrating VR technology offers a solution to streamline this process by overlaying vital information within the anesthesiologist's field of view, thus minimizing distractions and potential oversight. Additionally, this continuous and visible monitoring can be a source of reassurance for patients, who may feel anxious about the procedure and their well-being.
Methodology:
Technology selection: Make use of existing VR headsets, such as the Meta Quest 3 or Apple Vision Pro
Software Development: Collaborate with VR software developers to create a custom application that can securely connect to existing hospital patient monitoring systems, fetching real-time data and displaying it within the VR interface.
Prototype Testing: Conduct initial testing with a prototype on a small group of anesthesiologists record their feedback on comfort and usability.
Interactive Design Improvement: Â Refine the VR application based on feedback from anesthesiologists, focusing on interface and data accuracy.
Safety: Ensure the system meets all relevant medical and data privacy regulations.
Training Program: Develop a comprehensive training program for anesthesiologists to become proficient in using the VR system.
Anticipated Results:
Increased Efficiency: Streamlined monitoring could lead to more efficient procedures and the ability to promptly respond to patient needs.
Enhanced User Experience: Positive feedback from anesthesiologists on the ergonomics and ease of use of the VR system, leading to broader adoption.
Improved Patient Comfort: Patients report feeling more secure knowing their anesthesiologist is continuously monitoring their vitals, potentially reducing pre-procedure anxiety.
Estimated Cost:
Hardware Acquisition: 10 Meta Quest 3, $650 per headset + tax; $7100 USD
Estimated Cost of Development: $40000-$200000 USD