Retinal Scanning Display for Surgeons

A novel retinal scanning display (RSD) uses a safe, low-power beam of light to scan rows of pixels directly onto the surgeon's retina, creating a high-resolution full-motion image without the use of electronic screens of any kind.

To viewers, the image appears to be floating directly in front of them at about an arm's length away, as though on a large transparent computer screen or television. The head-mounted display, called Nomad, allows doctors to view vital signs or even schematics without ever moving their eyes from the procedure. Nomad is the product of Microvision (Bothell, WA, USA), a leading developer of micro and miniature optical scanning technology

Nomad is currently being tested in a number of medical settings, including the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, NY, USA), where doctors are exploring its use for everything from cardiology to cancer. One immediate use will be for anesthesiologists who need to physically watch the patient while viewing multiple monitors. Other clinics and hospitals are testing the technology both as a surgical navigation tool and as a display for patients' vital signs.

"The wonderful promise of successfully integrating Nomad into operating rooms is that it could enable physicians to keep their eyes on their patient during the entire procedure,” said Rick Rutkowski, president and CEO of Microvision.




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