I blogged last week about how the Nintendo 3DS had a use as a medical application.  According to imedicalapps, it seems that yet another “one of those blasted video games”, as I like to refer to them, is being used for medical purposes.

“An example of this is how Doctors in Toronto have transformed the X-box Kinect into a tool for use during surgeries. Microsoft’s Kinect, originally code named Project Natal, is a controller-free gaming system. The device enables users to interact with an Xbox 360 using hands free gestures and spoken commands.

The added medical functionality in this case: Surgeons can manipulate radiology images during surgery without having to break their sterile field.  Gowning and becoming sterile again can take up to 10 minutes alone.  Getting someone else to manipulate the CT images requires a fair amount of manipulation, and more time that the patient is on the OR table — time that can potentially be saved during an operation by using the Kinect system the team at the University of Toronto has designed.”

While I am impressed with the ability of scientists to adapt the existing technology for medical usage, the mom in me can’t help but think that someday, somewhere in the future, when I least suspect it, my child is going to use examples such as this against me to coerce me into purchasing the latest video game.