Name: A universal translator for surgeons
Uploaded: 2013-01-24T16:03:36Z
Duration: 11 min 24 s
Description: Laparoscopic surgery uses minimally invasive incisions -- which means less pain and shorter recovery times for patients. But Steven Schwaitzberg has run into two problems teaching these techniques to surgeons around the world: language and distance. He shares how a new technology, which combines videoconferencing and a real-time universal translator, could help.

Laparoscopic surgery uses minimally invasive incisions -- which means less pain and shorter recovery times for patients. But Steven Schwaitzberg has run into two problems teaching these techniques to surgeons around the world: language and distance. He shares how a new technology, which combines videoconferencing and a real-time universal translator, could help.

A universal translator for surgeons

Minimally invasive surgery offers less pain and faster recovery, yet teaching it worldwide faces obstacles of language and distance. In one hospital alone, millions are spent on over 100 translators for 63 languages, but even that is not enough. A new technology prototype blends video, captioning, and automated translation to make live surgical education accessible in multiple languages at once. This approach promises not just to teach, but also to learn globally, making the world smaller and safer for patients everywhere.