Posted on 03/10/2008 6:47:42 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Your explanation is undoubtedly the correct one - however not only the journalist but also the spokesperson confounded the two technologies, thus causing the article to lead to all sorts of erroneous inferences on the part of the reader. Thanks.
Did he break his glasses?
I call ‘shenanigans!’ on him.....
Are you sure this wasn’t originally posted in the onion?
I would imagine this whole thing can be done in the OR with optical/laser scans using cameras hooked to a computer. Kind of how they track a baseball’s path, but easier since the leg is usually not moving in a curved path at 100 mi/h.
There are ways of “averaging signals” against a known position to gain greater accuracy, but I don't think that even that has the degree of accuracy required for surgery, which I would assume would have to be down to the tenth of an inch or less range of error.
I think that this is just another example of a scientifically illiterate reporter.
I’m in agreement with those calling foul on this. Having used several GPS units... none are accurate to less than a couple of meters and three units sitting near each other routinely read different coordinates.
(and for the record, that’s a plausible article, LOL!)
What do you mean LOL!!!!
I was serious on that procedure. Are you questioning me!!!!!
In a more serious note, GPS can be used to measure very small disatnces accurately using interferometric processes and phase shift measurements. They can be used not only for very small measurements to determine gravity anomalities but for attitude determination for aircraft and spacecraft. But in an operating room? No, unless you operate outdoors and have a lot of equipment set up.
There are easier, cheaper, and more accurate ways of doing the surgeon’s measurements, like some of the triangulation schemes with infrared lasers and phase measurement anaysis similar to what is being used in the helmet-mounted sights used by fighter pilots to aim missiles.
LOL! No not questioning you :)
Yeah, I know how accurate they CAN be, but not using GPS equipment that is even available to the general public. Also... I would prefer that the doctor actually uses his EYES for surgery on me.... not computers guided by GPS.
I’ve used GPS for many things. It’s accuracy is great if you’re trying to hit a building with a smart bomb, or get yourself to a location in a city.
It’s not good for figuring my exact altitude on the side of a mountain. APPROXIMATE yes. Exact? NO WAY.
Mine drift up and down as much as 150-200 feet over time.
VectorVision, a "global-positioning system for the body," allows surgeons to use preoperative diagnostic images to visualize and track the position of their choice of surgical instruments intraoperatively through a touch-screen interface.The VectorVision system empowers surgeons to select the optimal implant during total joint replacement surgery by using a patient's 3-D image data. The system ensures that the ligaments have the appropriate tension after the operation, allowing the patient's leg to move smoothly after knee replacement. "This technology is the biggest advancement in total knee replacement in several years," said James R. Larson, MD.
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