Science software for plastic surgeons lauded by IEEE-USA

The US-based policy unit of technology advancement association IEEE has praised science software which allows plastic surgeons to visualise their patient's jaw before beginning an operation.

Special science software which allows the jaw alignment of the patient to be checked before surgery begins is one of five technological developments to gain commendation.

This allows the outcome of the operation to be more accurately predicted, according to IEEE-USA.

Visualising the jaw before commencing work also enables more precision to be attained during the procedure itself.

IEEE-USA's report on the technology, simply entitled Operating In 3-D, adds that complex measurements can be carried out at the millimetre scale.

Patients lose less blood as a result, with a reduced risk of infection also seen.

Other advancements praised by the organisation include a new kind of defibrillator, artificial retinas that can restore sight to blind individuals, an eco-friendly bicycle wheel and a photograph assessment program to select the most appealing snaps from a collection.