Abbott needs your blood, and it has new blended actuality expertise to get it. At CES 2023, the well being tech firm unveiled a brand new blended actuality expertise designed to make the blood donation course of extra nice. 

As a result of it is blended actuality, not digital actuality, donors utilizing the tech will probably be conscious sufficient of their environment, however they will be arrange with an immersive digital expertise that’ll take them away to a make-believe backyard, the place they’ll take heed to music and plant seeds that develop into colourful vegetation. This all goes down whereas they’re in a well being heart, needle in arm, donating blood. It makes use of Microsoft’s HoloLens 2.

In partnership with Blood Facilities of America, Abbott designed the expertise within the hope of attracting new and youthful donors. The trouble is predicated on analysis displaying donors choose a pure setting whereas giving blood (as a result of who would not). Abbott additionally stated in a press launch that “one of many greatest challenges” going through the nation’s blood provide is a drop within the variety of donations from folks below age 30. 

Within the US, an individual is in want of blood or platelets each two seconds, in response to the American Pink Cross. Causes for needing a blood transfusion embody accidents or automobile accidents, sure cancers or diseases and pure disasters. Folks of any blood kind can donate, however folks with Kind O blood (typically known as “common donors“) are in excessive demand.

Along with youthful of us, a blended actuality expertise may assist distract individuals who have a concern of needles throughout a blood draw, or assist transfer the eye away from an disagreeable sensation of blood donation.

“Some individuals are hesitant to donate for quite a lot of causes or simply do not take into consideration giving blood,” Harpreet Ok. Sandhu, CEO of  Stanford Blood Facilities and chairperson of Blood Facilities of America, stated in a press launch. “Because the want for blood is fixed, we’re regularly on the lookout for sensible new methods that can attraction to individuals who have by no means donated earlier than or could also be apprehensive.”

After they’re utilizing Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 throughout a blood donation, customers’ eyes will probably be seen to make sure monitoring from the well being care workforce. The light-weight headsets will probably be adjustable for consolation. 

Abbott says the blood donation and blended actuality expertise is at the moment being examined “on a restricted” foundation at some Blood Facilities of America areas. You may signal as much as discover out when it is coming to a metropolis close to you right here. 

The knowledge contained on this article is for instructional and informational functions solely and isn’t supposed as well being or medical recommendation. At all times seek the advice of a doctor or different certified well being supplier concerning any questions you could have a few medical situation or well being goals.