Dr. Hologram is Now Seeing Cancer Patients Virtually

Dr. Hologram is Now Seeing Cancer Patients Virtually

“I’ve had dozens of virtual visits on my cell phone and this holographic experience doesn’t compare,” said one of the Proto unit’s first patients at the West Cancer Center’s clinic. “It feels just like I am talking with my doctor face-to-face.”
Proto Inc.

In August 2021, LA-based Portl introduced a 7-foot-tall hologram projection box for realistic remote communication. Now rebranded as Proto, the company has announced that its Epic technology enables cancer patients to consult life-size virtual specialists.

Proto, founded in 2019 by David Nussbaum, leverages his experience creating large holograms for concerts, movie premieres, and fashion shows. He developed the Epic, a “hologram in a box,” designed for venues, universities, boardrooms, and medical facilities, allowing people to interact with life-like 3D holograms from miles away.

Life-Size Interaction for a More Realistic Experience

Rather than a small image on a smartphone, the viewer experiences interaction as if the person is physically in the room, creating a more natural communication experience. The box features LED lighting to reduce shadows and reflections for enhanced realism, a touch-enabled front panel, built-in microphones and speakers, and AI-powered cameras for added functionality.

“We are always looking to improve on technology and thought what it would be like if we could beam our specialists to offices in rural communities and with Proto and this Holographic technology, we can do just that,” said West Cancer Center’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sylvia Richey
Proto Inc.

Epic Hologram Beams Gallaudet President into Symposium for Real-Time Interaction

Last year, an Epic unit was used to “beam” Gallaudet University president Roberta J. Cordano into the Visual-Centric Teaching and Learning Symposium, where she interacted with attendees using American Sign Language. Thanks to a live camera feed, she was able to see and communicate with the audience in real-time.

Other notable installations include Terminal 4 at JFK Airport, a CBS debut at the Big Brother house, an event at the Sphere in Las Vegas, and a telemedicine application at the West Cancer Center and Research Institute’s clinic in Paris, Tennessee.

Although recently announced at UC Berkeley’s Global Healthcare Innovation forum, the Proto unit has already been facilitating virtual consultations with cancer specialists at the West Cancer facility for several months.

Proto Hologram at West Cancer Center & Research Institute

West Cancer CEO Mitch Graves expressed excitement about partnering with Proto, stating that what once seemed impossible is now enabling the center to offer specialized care without requiring patients to travel to large cities. “Our Paris, TN clinic is one of 11 locations, and we are expanding to a second in October, with more to come. This aligns with our 45-year mission of providing clinical and research excellence to all cancer patients, which is strengthened by adding Proto Hologram,” he said.

Proto’s founder, David Nussbaum, emphasized the importance of privacy in healthcare, noting that the company made significant engineering investments and earned SOC Type 2 security certifications to ensure secure communications. “We’re proud that West Cancer Center, with its need to reach rural patients, is the first provider to establish a hologram care program,” Nussbaum added.


Read the original article on: New Atlas

Read more: The Negative Aspect of Machine Learning in Healthcare

Share this post