Smart headset brings eyes of senior doctors into ICU

Head-mounted smart eye

Functions and advantages: When the on-site operator wears the device, the camera attached to the headband sends images to a cloud-based online system. A remote senior doctor can view the real-time situation and engage in instant voice conversations. The doctor can also transmit markings to the operator’s monitor. The device is light and allows assisted reality (aR) support and real-time communication. It also features positional markings and translation functions.



“The majority of cases in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are critical but due to manpower constrains, it is difficult for senior doctors to work in the hospital 24/7. We have been looking for ways that allow us to clearly monitor patients’ condition as if we were present, but from a distance.” Dr Philip Lam, Chief of Service of ICU at North District Hospital, and his team has been searching for the most suitable gadget one year ago. They visited different hospitals and took inspiration from various sources, including the gaming industry and its virtual reality technology. They finally introduced a smart aR device inspired by the experience with aR in the engineering field six months ago. “Our focus is on rescuing patients so smart tools cannot be too heavy, and we must be able to put them on within seconds,” he says. “The field of view must not be affected by the aR device as we need to be able to clearly observe the actual ward environment.”

All young doctors in ICU now learn to use the device. In one case, a doctor failed to successfully intubate a patient. He used the smart eye to communicate and, with the guidance of a senior doctor, was able to perform the procedure correctly. “Sharing the same perspective not only allows us to monitor the patients’ condition with multiple eyes but also makes the young doctors feel supported, gives them confidence and enhances teamwork,” says Dr Lam. Following its successful launch, the smart eye device will be used by other departments including the community outreach services team and the stroke division.