A research team from Indiana University School of Medicine and Purdue University has recently created and have now shown, in practical simulations, a telemedical AR system which can be used in a difficult and stressful environment. Named as System for Telementoring with Augmented Reality (STAR), it helps clinicians and surgeons at remote locations to guide military paramedics, medics, and others on how to administer emergency procedures.

The STAR system is based on an AR headset, which is worn by the person on the scene. Video from the headset is transmitted in real-time to the remote surgeon who can explain the scene using a touchscreen tablet. The explanations appear in the view of the person taking care of the stricken patient in real-time and where the surgeon wanted them to. This helps with precise medical procedures.

STAR was tested with a large number of volunteers in a simulated battle-like scenario. Volunteers were directed to perform an incision that creates a patent airway at the neck when the normal breathing pathway is blocked. The performance of the volunteers was correlated with that of those who received medical guidance using only voice, without the benefit of AR. Subjects did far better using the STAR system, performing the cricothyroidotomies faster and accurately than those who only heard voice instructions.

STAR is still in a prototype stage; nonetheless, the bulk of the technology is almost ready for use in a variety of environment, including military, remote medicine, and space flight.