Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a handheld portable device that effectively gives doctors the gift of X-ray vision. Called the Sonic Flashlight the device combines a number of existing technologies to produce a live ultrasound scan when held against the patient’s body. Ultrasound scanners and monitors in use today are quite cumbersome, however the Sonic Flashlight consists of a see-through mirror attached to a ray gun. The doctor looks through the mirror at the patient, activates the ray gun in the area he wants scanned and the image of the patient’s insides is then projected onto the mirror.
Lead researcher Damion Shelton believes the device will make surgical procedures easier: “When you are guiding procedures, like sticking needles into people, you don’t want to be looking away from your work area,” the Sonic Flashlight would make such procedures far simpler as the surgeon would be able to look at their hands while they work. The Sonic Flashlight was recently showcased at Siggraph, the world’s leading computer graphics conference. Shelton and his colleagues are now planning to conduct clinical trials of the device.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.bbc.co.uk on the 13th August 2002
