Nextremity adopts Google Glass for product, surgeon training

RECENTLY, North Carolina-based orthopedic surgeon Selene G. Parekh, M.D. utilized Google Glass during a successful foot and ankle surgery in Jaipur, India.

Google Glass, a wearable computer with an optical head-mounted display, was developed by Google and has been utilized on an exclusive basis through Google's Explorer program.

Dr Parekh conducted surgery while wearing the technology and broadcast live streaming video via the Internet. The technology allowed for hands-free recording video without the operating room disruption of a video crew and related risk of infection. Additionally, it provided viewers the surgeon's unique vantage point during the surgery.

Nextremity Solutions Inc., an orthopedic medical device company which specializes in forefoot surgery implants, recently obtained Google Glass and will be evaluating its applications in its surgeon training initiatives. The company will work closely with Dr. Parekh to ensure the technology is used in a manner most beneficial to surgeons.

Dr Selene G. Parekh seen during surgery while wearing Google Glass

"This technology opens up a whole new world for surgery. Not only are we able to obtain a different view of the surgery, we are also able to communicate live with fellow surgeons at the same time. Simply amazing technology," Dr Parekh said.
Rod K. Mayer, president and CEO of Nextremity Solutions, remarked, "We are very excited to partner with Dr. Parekh on this project. We plan on using this technology in our surgeon training, product development and patient education Programs. This technology will allow us to continue advancing both development and training of our best-in-class products and procedures."