DESMA 9 PROJECT MIDTERM

1. DESMA 9
Art + Science + Technology
Spring 2015
Professor Victoria Vesna
Section 1A
Title:
Augmented Reality: Doctors by
Design
Name: Jaime Muñoz

2. ABSTRACT
As technology continues to evolve and become more
integrated into human’s daily life and rituals, it has
technologists and creative individuals asking
themselves, what more can be done. Advances in
technology will further proliferate as it has become a
new culture, especially for the millennial generation. It
seems as if our world is free of challenges and
obstacles for major technology companies to introduce
a second, more visually stimulating world to play in.
The world of augmented reality. The objective of this
project proposal is to discuss the possibilities of
utilizing augmented reality in various practices for the
betterment of society on a global scale.

3. CONCEPT / TOPIC
Technology giants, Microsoft and Google serve as incubators for the most
breakthrough technologies that provide those with the funds the
opportunity to feel like a child again and play with the latest tech products.
Bright and intuitive cross-functional teams captivate us with the idea that
our future has in store what predominantly CGI films show on the big
screen. However, it seems as if wearable technology can fulfil a greater
purpose, specifically in medical fields where sometimes the lack of access
and poor levels of communication can hinder impoverished communities
from overcoming what more advanced countries see as benign maladies,
diseases, and procedures. The question to ponder is if augmented reality,
which seems to be a more popular concept to those in the gaming
industry, can act as a tool for the medical landscape in third world
countries?

4. CONTEXT & PRECEDENTS
Even Google, who was praised
for its innovative Glass product
has suspended and possibly
ended its sales for their smart
glasses product [1]. People are
just not finding a good use for it.
Yet, Google has mentioned that
there is a better market where
they can apply their eyewear
technology. The healthcare field.
C o - f o u n d e r S e r g e y t o l d
ForbesLife that he wanted to use
technology to improve people’s
“quality of life.”[2] By strategically
shifting the companies' efforts,
Google and Microsoft can
achieve this.
Image: The New York Times

5. PROJECT PROPOSAL
HoloLens, for example, shows a glimpse of that their goggles can possibly accomplish.
Through a camera in the goggles, the lenses know the objects you are seeing and then
uses information to project 3D images on top of and even inside the objects.[3] This
product is especially useful for collaborating on tasks of various difficulty levels as can be
seen above. The top image shows the studying of formation of rocks on a different planet
while the bottom image shows a father guiding his daughter in tightening the pipes of a
faucet. This prompts gadget reviewers to ask, “imagine how this could be used to guide
doctors through complex operations.” [4]
Images: Microsoft HoloLens Commercial

6. Holograms may seem like something of science fiction, but the hardware allows one to
work with technology in a harmonious fashion and possibly reduce the chances of
causing trauma during a surgery by understanding where to make incisions. [5] The
surgeon and assistant will follow step by step procedures that augmented reality
shows from the initial skin decision to viewing correct anatomical structures. According
to project by Stanford and Droiders, augmented reality in healthcare is a game
changer on simulations and live teachings. It is also a great aid for junior surgeons on
safety features and can help expert surgeons on uncommon procedures. Imagine how
revolutionary this would be in developing third world countries.
Project Proposal (cont.)
Image: MedicAR in Surgery

7. What may seem simple for surgeons and doctors in developed countries like the
United States, may still be unheard of in third world countries. The introduction of
augmented reality can truly benefit people, especially children, suffering from mild
sicknesses and can also help with simple diagnoses to provide them with the
correct medicines or treatments. In the example above, ‘Miracle’ is relatively
inexpensive (Kinect, camera and TV) but it offers several advantages for anatomy
education. This technology can address a really pressing issue of kids dying in
Africa due to the inadequate knowledge of administering vaccines. According to
UNICEF, more than 30 million kids are at risk since their families don’t have the
knowledge of when to immunize their kids. This can all change. [6]
Project Proposal (cont.)
Image: Screenshot of the magic mirror ‘Miracle’

8. Conclusion
Augmented reality, while entertaining, can revolutionize medicine
especially in developing countries. The issue then lies in how to gain
the monetary funds to allow those in third world countries to gain
access to this technology. Google and Microsoft are continuously
creating products of the future, but their wearable technology are
limited in applicable uses. If they, and other technology giants were to
shift their efforts to improving quality of life for those less capable, it
would truly make an impact to society on a global scale. After granting
basic healthcare essentials to third world countries, these augmented
reality technologies could then move into teaching emergency care
through simulations such as natural disaster scenarios. The future of
augmented reality is obscure, but it definitely looks promising.

9. References
[1] "Augmented Reality in Medical Education." Perspect Med Education. N.p., 25 Jan. 2014.
Web. 3 May 2015.
[2] Edwards, Jim. "GOOGLE ENDS SALES OF GOOGLE GLASS." Business Insider. Business
Insider, Inc, 16 Jan. 2015. Web. 03 May 2015.
[3] Farr, Christina. "This Stanford Surgeon Shows Us the Future of Medicine: Augmented
Reality & Google Glass (exclusive)." VentureBeat. N.p., 13 Mar. 2014. Web. 03 May 2015.
[4] King, Leo. "Google Smart Contact Lenses Focuses on Healthcare Billions." Forbes. Forbes
Magazine, 15 July 2014. Web. 03 May 2015.
[5] "Microsoft HoloLens." Microsoft HoloLens. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2015.
[6] Statt, Nick. "Microsoft's HoloLens Explained: How It Works and Why It's Different - CNET."
CNET. N.p., 24 Jan. 2015. Web. 03 May 2015.

10. Bibliography / Links
[1] Anthony, Sebastian. "Google Invents Smart Contact Lens with Built-in Camera: Superhuman Terminator-like Vision Here We Come | ExtremeTech."
ExtremeTech. 15 Apr. 2014. Web. 3 May 2015.
[2] "Augmented Reality in Medical Education." Perspect Med Education. N.p., 25 Jan. 2014. Web. 3 May 2015.
[3] Barrett, Brian. "Headline: Microsoft Shows HoloLens’ Augmented Reality Is No Gimmick." Wired.com. Conde Nast Digital, 29 Apr. 2015. Web. 3
May 2015.
[4] Edwards, Jim. "GOOGLE ENDS SALES OF GOOGLE GLASS." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 16 Jan. 2015. Web. 03 May 2015.
[5] Farr, Christina. "This Stanford Surgeon Shows Us the Future of Medicine: Augmented Reality & Google Glass (exclusive)." VentureBeat. N.p., 13
Mar. 2014. Web. 03 May 2015.
[6] "Immunization." UNICEF. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2015.
[7] King, Leo. "Google Smart Contact Lenses Focuses on Healthcare Billions." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 15 July 2014. Web. 03 May 2015.
[8] Lawrence, Stacey. "Google Goes after Med Tech, along with Other VCs." FierceMedicalDevices. 24 Dec. 2014. Web. 3 May 2015.
[9] Madrigal, Alexis. "The World Is Not Enough: Google and the Future of Augmented Reality." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 25 Oct. 2012.
Web. 3 May 2015.
[10] Martin, Simon. "10 Reasons Why Microsoft's New HoloLens Could Change the Future of Product Design - SolidSmack." SolidSmack. 30 Apr.
2015. Web. 3 May 2015. <http://www.solidsmack.com/culture/10-reasons-microsofts-new-hololens-change-future-product-design/>.
[11] "Microsoft HoloLens." Microsoft HoloLens. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2015.
[12] O'Connor, Anahad. "Google Glass Enters the Operating Room." Well Google Glass Enters the Operating Room Comments. N.p., 01 June 2014.
Web. 03 May 2015.
[13] Olson, Parmy. "Wearable Tech Is Plugging Into Health Insurance." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 19 June 2014. Web. 03 May 2015.
[14] Orwa, Chris. "Can Technology Replace Doctors in Third World Countries | A Conversation on TED.com." Can Technology Replace Doctors in
Third World Countries | A Conversation on TED.com. Web. 3 May 2015.
[15] Sacco, Al. "How Many People Actually Own Google Glass?" CIO. 4 June 2014. Web. 3 May 2015.
[16] Statt, Nick. "Microsoft's HoloLens Explained: How It Works and Why It's Different - CNET." CNET. N.p., 24 Jan. 2015. Web. 03 May 2015.
[17] Tilley, Aaron. "Mini's Augmented Reality Glasses Finally Give You X-ray Vision." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 19 Apr. 2015. Web. 3 May 2015.
[18] Tsukayama, Hayley. "Google's Smart Contact Lens: What It Does and How It Works." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2014.
Web. 3 May 2015.
[19] Williams, Owen. "Magic Leap Shows Off Its Augmented Reality Gaming." TNW Network All Stories RSS. 19 Mar. 2015. Web. 3 May 2015.
[20] Winder, Mike. "Who, What, Why, When,." Wearables. 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 3 May 2015.