Indra provides its medical imaging technology for a pioner surgery using Google Glass

The first prototype of the WAD system (wireless arthroscopic device), jointly developed by the technological multinational Indra and the CEMTRO clinic and conceived by the prestigious Spanish traumatologist Pedro Guillén, was used for a pioneer master class that was broadcast live to nearly 300 universities and hospitals throughout the five continents, with the support of Google Glass.

The Master Class, which was broadcast this past Tuesday, 17 September, was taught by Dr. Guillén in order to train doctors and medical students from countries that included Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Bahrain and the United States, in two pioneer techniques. The first was based on the wireless arthroscopic device (WAD), which is the first wireless solution in the world that improves and significantly facilitates arthroendoscopic interventions, and it is also integrated with the patient's medical record. The second focused on autologous chondrocyte implantation in high cellular density membrane, a technique that allows curing joint lesions and was performed on a patient's knee with the assistance of the wireless arthroscopic device.

This experience, which had never been performed, made it possible to create a new concept--"the single and global operating theatre"--and users were able to follow the event via the YouTube link in the CEMTRO clinic's webpage, where it was broadcast for free.

In addition, viewers at the nearly 300 participating locations were able to submit questions to Dr. Guillén and his team via chat, and two surgeons participated actively as commentators of the operation in real time. The broadcast design included several images of the medical procedure in a single screen: the surgical view seen through Google Glass, the image of Indra's arthroscopic device, and the perspective of a camera focused on the entire room. The three images were then combined in a single screen. Users were able to follow the intervention on Twitter via @ClinicaCEMTRO and #GuillénGlass.

WAD, a pioneer solution that improves surgery and facilitates interventions in areas with limited resources

Since early 2011, the Spanish multinational Indra and the CEMTRO clinic have led the development of the first WAD (Wireless Arthroscopic Device) system. The project, launched by Dr. Guillén in 2007, marks a new innovation in the arthroscopic world.

It is the first device that does not require a connection to an arthroscopy tower or a light source. This new system adds many benefits and values to conventional systems since the absence of cables reduces the probability of infections, the time needed to prepare the operating theatre and the infrastructure to perform interventions. It also facilitates the surgeon's full mobility while performing the intervention, and the cost will be much lower compared to the conventional systems that currently exist. Another important contribution is that it enables integrating the video and the image of the intervention in the patient's medical record.

All of these innovations will make it possible for this surgical technique to be used in new areas and regions with limited resources: health centres, outpatient clinics, rural areas, field hospitals for peace missions, and veterinary clinics.

Leader in digital health solutions

Currently, more than 32 million people in four continents benefit from the solutions and systems developed by Indra in the field of health. The company's solutions are used by over 100,000 professionals at more than 5,600 health centres and hospitals and allow approximately 500,000 appointments to be made every day.

The technology and knowledge applied at Indra for the healthcare industry are based on its portfolio of Health Solutions, specialising in areas such as telemedicine, digital imaging, electronic prescriptions and electronic medical records. This platform is the result of accumulated experience in developing projects for private and public entities both in Spain and internationally.

Indra is one of the world's largest consultancy and technology multinationals, a leader in Europe and Latin America and is expanding in other emerging economies. Innovation is the cornerstone of its business, which is highly focussed on the customer and on sustainability. The multinational is one of the leaders in its sector in Europe in terms of investment in R&D and innovation, having invested more than €550M in the last three years. With sales approaching €3,000 million, it employs 42,000 professional and has customers in 128 countries.