The country's hospital world is taking a big step towards the future: The NRW-funded "Giga for Health" project is developing medical uses for 5G. The fastest mobile data transmission technology currently available enables enormous improvements in many areas. Prof. Dr. Rolf Schuster from Fachhochschule Dortmund is keeping an eye on the big picture.
One of the possible applications being researched is a typical transplant situation. A doctor in one hospital removes an organ that a doctor in another hospital is waiting for. The new technology makes it possible for both doctors to join forces for the removal operation: The person performing the operation wears video goggles that transmit their view of the operation to the person watching at the other hospital.
At the same time, the observer can use their computer to assist with precise instructions during the procedure, for example using the mouse to mark with millimeter precision where an incision should be made. The video goggles use augmented reality to superimpose these markings onto the surgeon's field of vision, precisely on the relevant part of the patient's body.
Projecting complex 3D structures of the brain
Another area of application is computer-assisted tumor surgery. With mixed reality, for example, highly complex 3D structures of the brain and their essential functional structures can be virtually projected into the room by the computer so that surgeons can better orient themselves and prepare for an operation.
5G technology makes it possible to transmit the required data volumes as quickly as necessary for smooth collaboration. "It shouldn't take longer than 20 milliseconds from end to end," says Prof. Dr. Rolf Schuster, explaining the research requirements.
Prof. Schuster is a specialist in edge computing. In contrast to transferring data to the cloud in distant data centers, edge computing is aimed at decentralized data processing on site - like a local cloud, smaller, much faster and more reliably accessible.
Use cases, segments and edge computing
The specific possible applications ("use cases") are based on the optimal interaction of the individual segments within such a locally distributed cloud. In the transplantation example, in addition to permanent data transmission in both directions, this also includes processing the data, such as converting the mouse markings into digital 3D representations and positioning them perfectly in the operating person's field of vision.
If the individual segments were players in a soccer team, Prof. Schuster's job would be that of their coach. His aim is for everyone to interact smoothly. His team accompanies the entire development process of each use case, builds a virtual model of the edge infrastructure and uses it to develop ways to make medical applications even faster and more reliable.
The project is based at Düsseldorf University Hospital, where Vodafone is building its own 5G network for the project. In addition to Fachhochschule Dortmund, other partners include RWTH Aachen University, the company Brainlab, the University of Wuppertal, the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices and the North Rhine Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.
The NRW state government is funding the project.