Camera device could enhance patients' visual awareness

The device will help injured soldiers returning from Afghanistan to see their environment without moving their head.

The system, dubbed ‘Inviso’ and built at BAE System’s Rochester plant, uses a combination of three cameras, connected to a 12.1in anti-glare LCD screen, to give the soldier unrestricted views of the hospital ward; thus enabling them to see neighbouring patients and visitors, and to help with basic needs such as eating and shaving.

Steven Costin, BAE apprentice and project leader, told The Engineer: ‘The patient has 100 per cent control. They can decide exactly which of the three cameras they want to use, for how long, and if they want it on at all.’

The patient can control the system through a tap-recognition or voice-recognition mode. The latter was designed for patients with particularly limited movement capability.

‘The tap option involves a pressure sensor that is clicked with any part of the patient’s body. That click informs the system that the patient wants to open a new view or close the current one,’ explained Costin.