Augmented, virtual reality set to change medical industry
With the boom in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology over the past few years, it’s not just video games and movies utilising it.
In fact, the technology, thanks to advancements in headsets and goggles, is seeing use in medical technology (MedTech) as well.
Companies such as HTC, Oculus, and even Samsung are contributing to the wave of new VR technology. Though there is no set standard yet, which is set to impact the industry when there eventually is, for now, everything is evolving due to consumer demands.
VR through training doctors
One of the biggest draws of VR is how the technology is versatile. While many use VR devices to explore different locations or fight zombies from their living rooms, it’s also a useful tool in medicine. More specifically, VR can be used to teach doctors when performing surgeries or complex diagnosis.
Without the need for dummy cadavers or using real ones, surgeons in training can perform complex training procedures with the use of VR. Simulations can be set up with all of the required criteria for a dummy patient, as well as the ability to simulate things going wrong during the operation.
It’s not just doctors, but dentists and physical therapists, who will also benefit from the advancements in VR technology. While nothing quite beats operating on a patient, the benefit of VR can help hone the skills of different professionals as well as practice treating complex conditions.
AR in real-time
Though VR has a range of uses, AR is the technology that’s more suited to real-time practices. AR allows 3D images to be projected onto a surface or suspended in space. This allows for doctors to look over a 3D model of the patient or a specific organ in order to study it before a procedure.
Another use is during complex medical procedures. The AR images may be situated inside of a patient’s chest, which allows the doctor to view how an organ transplant should be handled, or where a tumour may be located. This adds additional support to the operation and doctors on hand.
AR in practical medical uses
Besides medical operations, AR can be utilised in less strenuous real-life situations. For example, phone apps may be able to locate the nearest hospital or chemist in a crisis. For those wanting to run there are a few examples of apps that push the runner, such as simulating they are being chased by a horde of zombies.
Doctors can also use the technology to educate patients on different problems, such as cancer on an organ or problems with their eyes. This may be used to put the patient at ease as well as fully inform them of exactly what is going on in their body.
The use of these devices would also be beneficial in helping non-profit medical organisations, such as Médecins Sans Frontières, which often operates in the field and responds to crises.
Tablets are already used by doctors
More general practitioners (GPs) are adopting tablets and medical programs for their practices. These not only allow for real-time research and consultation on different diseases but the ability to show patients what problems they may be having.
Due to these devices being equipped with both front and back-facing cameras, GPs are able to use AR for in an informative manner, quickly giving patients a breakdown of their current condition, or how different organs work.
Even the PlayStation 3 helped medicine
While AR and VR are often attributed to gaming, there is another piece of technology that helped the MedTech industry. Thanks to the PlayStation 3’s unique cell processor, it was perfectly suited to the Folding@Home program. With it, researchers at Stanford University were able to gather massive amounts of folded protein data from users, which would be used in cancer and Alzheimer’s research.
The program was available on the PS3 from 2007 until its discontinuation by Sony in 2012. Over the period, 15 million participants folded over 100 million hours worth of proteins.
There is a range of other uses for both AR and VR, and the list grows on a continuous basis. While the pricing is still prohibitive, hopefully, it’s not long until all medical establishments are outfitted with AR and VR kits.