Medical Students Trial ‘Smart’ Surgical Gloves That Record Hand Movements

Imagine if your boss could see a report of every move you made at work? Though, in this case, it’s more useful than authoritarian. 

Researchers at the Western Sydney University in Australia have developed new smart surgical training gloves that can provide feedback on medical students’ dexterity during procedures.

In fact, as per New Atlas, a third-generation prototype of the gloves is already undergoing a trial at Liverpool Hospital in the UK.

Initially, the gloves were created with an electronic strip at the back to detect hand orientation and acceleration, together with force sensors on their fingertips. However, due to feedback that they were too clunky, the team then repositioned the force sensors up the forearm of the gloves and placed motion sensors on its back. 

Gough Lui, a biomedical engineer that lead the development, said that while medical students must now master more complicated procedures, teaching methods have remained unchanged in the last few decades. 

“Often [the teachers] say, ‘that wasn’t very good,’ but can’t concretely articulate what is wrong,” he explained. 

The gloves, which could eventually be paired with a smartphone app to display trainees’ metrics, will allow teachers to be able to pinpoint exact details and give students concrete feedback on what they can improve. 

“Now we have a tool that can assist in objectively measuring the intricate hand maneuvers,” said Professor Les Bokey, Clinical Dean and Foundation Professor of Surgery and Colorectal Surgery. 

[via New Atlas and Western Sydney University, cover image via Western Sydney University]