The European Space Agency (ESA) is exploring new possibilities to make space conquest smooth, and the latest development is the new set of “augmented reality” headsets designed to provide medical expertise to astronauts while on the space station or more distant missions.

The new CAMDASS headset provides a 3D display that combines the wearer’s real vision with computer-generated graphics. The system is designed to help astronauts look after themselves, especially in long space missions.

“Although medical expertise will be available among the crew to some extent, astronauts cannot be trained and expected to maintain skills on all the medical procedures that might be needed,” said Arnaud Runge, a biomedical engineer overseeing the project for ESA, in a statement.Important components of the CAMDASS include a stereo head-mounted display and an ultrasound tool tracked via an infrared camera. Markers are placed on the patient’s body or at the site of interest. The ultrasound device connected with the system ‘registers’ the patient body to the camera. The display is calibrated to each wearer’s vision. 3D augmented reality cue cards are then displayed in the headset, which are provided by matching points on a ‘virtual human′ and the registered patient. This guides the wearer into position and guides movement of the ultrasound probe.

The speech recognition feature allows hands-free control while reference ultrasound image indicates what the user should be seeing.

The CAMDASS system can also find wider application in telemedicine systems which provide remote medical assistance via satellite, according to officials at ESA. In addition to this, it could also be used as a self-sufficient tool for emergency responders as well, they added.

The prototype of the system has been tested at Saint-Pierre University Hospital, Brussels. According to officials at Saint-Pierre University Hospital, Brussels, untrained users were able to perform difficult procedures without help, thanks to the effective probe positioning.

In another related development, Blue Sky Network, a global provider of satellite tracking and communication solutions for land, sea, and aviation, announced the launch of a portable HawkeyeLink Bluetooth device that enables hands-free Iridium (News - Alert) phone calls and two-way messaging on users' smartphones in an aircraft or helicopter.