VR live streamed surgery brings you straight to the operating room
LONDON -- Now anyone can be fully immersed in the Royal London Hospital's operating theatre -- without having to become a patient.
The hospital is live streaming the world's first operation in virtual reality though its "VR in OR" app, and if you don't have a VR headset the stream is available in 360 degree video on the Medical Realities website.
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As the surgery began Thursday around 1 p.m. BST, the experience certainly was immersive -- watching in 360 degrees, it feels like you are floating above the operating table, watching the team at work.
The operation is expected to last two to three hours.
The immersive experience is made possible with Mativision cameras, which are used in live concerts, according to ArsTechnica.
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In the operation, Dr. Shafi Ahmed is removing cancerous tissue from a male patient's bowel.
Ahmed told the Guardian the approach is a valuable learning tool for improving surgeons' training and making "healthcare more equitable."
The patient, who is a British man in his 70s, isn't named but was said to be excited about his operation being streamed internationally.
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Topics Health Virtual Reality
Liza Hearon was the Deputy Editor for Mashable UK. Liza started her career in journalism writing about punk bands for a 'zine in Florida, and her wanderlust has led her to work for news organisations in Russia, Japan and now London. Prior to joining Mashable, she was the European homepage editor for the Wall Street Journal. Liza loves podcasts, karaoke and really, really spicy food.
