Video Camera Streams Surgery Using Virtual Reality

A novel 360-degree video camera was used to stream bariatric surgery to hundreds of viewers using virtual reality (VR) headsets.

The ALLie Camera provides 24/7 viewing, recording, live streaming, still-capture, social sharing, and VR viewing capabilities. Because the view angle can be controlled by each individual viewer in order to see the entire surgical area, users can simply set it up in the room and not worry about camera angles or blind spots for their audience. It does not require batteries, and can be mounted on walls and ceilings, or even stand on most surfaces.

Unlike other 360° video cameras, the ALLie provides the ability to record video all the time, making it an ideal solution for capturing medical training scenarios in clear 4K resolution, and for providing a fully immersive experience through a low-cost VR headset. This allows both practicing surgeons and students to be immersed in a completely interactive educational experience in a risk-free, non-intrusive environment. A two-way communication feature even allows users to interact through the camera remotely.

Other features include dual 8-megapixel sensors that support 2048x2048 pixel resolution at 20fps; a free companion mobile app; night vision and infra-red functionality; an “Away Mode” that stores video to a cloud for 24, 48, 72, or a custom amount of hours; a “Home Mode” which utilizes local Wi-Fi to record in the best possible resolution and store it on a mobile device. The camera also updates itself remotely with new software features as they become available. The ALLie Camera is a product of ALLie (Dublin, Ireland).

“We are blazing the trail for surgeons around the world by bringing these incredibly interactive and immersive 360 video technologies into the operating room,” said Ariel Ortiz Lagardere, MD, of the Obesity Control Center (Baja, Mexico) who performed the procedure during the 18th annual International Bariatric Club Symposium. “Together with the team at ALLie, our sights are focused on continuing to further the educational possibilities that 360-degree cameras and VR headsets can bring to medical learning environments.”

While technology in the medical industry continues to advance, medical errors such as misdiagnoses, 'botched' surgeries and medication errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to recent report in the British Medical Journal.

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