What is AR?
Augmented Reality (AR) augments your surroundings by adding digital elements to the real world, often by using the camera on a smartphone.
What is VR?
Virtual Reality (VR) is a simulated experience when the world you’re standing in is replaced with a virtual one. This can be done with something as simple as a plastic holder you put your phone into.
What is the difference between the two?
Virtual reality and augmented reality accomplish two very different things in two very different ways, despite their similar designs. Whereas virtual reality replaces your vision, augmented reality adds to it. The differences come down to the devices you use and the experience itself:
The field of medicine is witnessing a rapid transformation with the emergence of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). These technologies are revolutionizing medical diagnostics by enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of diagnostic procedures. Additionally, AR and VR can also be used to help patients gain a better understanding of their condition and treatment options. Here are some specific examples of how AR and VR are being used for medical diagnostics:
What is Virtual Reality in Healthcare?
Virtual reality in healthcare uses computer-generated technology for several healthcare applications, like providing virtual medical training to students and doctors carrying out diagnoses, and many others.
One example is its use in medical training, where it can simulate scenarios and common situations that may occur in real-life physical settings. Many top hospitals and medical universities worldwide have implemented VR applications to train professionals, perform surgery, and provide medical education remotely. This technology enables problem-oriented learning, visualization of internal body organs, and the development of necessary communication skills in students.
Another area where VR is useful is in physical therapy and rehabilitation. Patients who experience pain during exercise can use VR to distract themselves with specific visual aids, sensations, and sounds. This technology motivates patients to complete their physical activity and aids in their recovery.
VR-based simulations: VR can be used to create simulations of real-world medical environments, such as surgical suites and emergency rooms. This can be used to train medical professionals on new procedures and to prepare them for complex cases.
VR-based patient education: VR can be used to educate patients about their condition and treatment options in a more engaging and immersive way. For example, VR can be used to show patients what to expect during a medical procedure or to help them visualize their body’s response to treatment.
VR surgical simulator: ImmersiveTouch has developed a VR surgical simulator that can be used to train surgeons on a variety of procedures, including hip replacement and spinal surgery. The simulator provides surgeons with a realistic and interactive environment to practice their skills.
Benefits of VR in the Healthcare Industry
This technology provides a safe training environment for doctors and students to learn realistic medical skills without any health risks. It also promotes fast healing for long-term hospital patients by offering them a more engaging and stress-free experience through VR goggles. By creating a realistic environment, VR can also help patients and medical professionals overcome their phobias and fears. Moreover, it is an effective distraction for patients who suffer from chronic pain, making it easier for them to tolerate their ailment. Additionally, it can also be used to distract children from painful medical procedures such as blood tests and injections.
Virtual reality applications in different sectors of the healthcare industry include:
There are several ways in which virtual reality (VR) is being used in the healthcare industry. Firstly, VR technology is enabling surgeons to practice various surgical procedures in a virtual environment, using haptic controllers and guided by software that outlines the necessary steps. Additionally, VR is being used to educate patients about the surgical process. Secondly, VR is proving to be an effective tool in managing chronic pain by distracting patients from their discomfort. This approach reduces healthcare costs and lessens reliance on painkillers. Thirdly, VR is assisting in physical therapy by providing supervised exercises that are monitored by an AI virtual instructor to ensure proper execution. Finally, VR is being used to provide medical education and training to students through virtual learning sessions that employ tutors and training scenarios.
Application of Augmented Reality for:
AR-guided imaging: AR can be used to overlay medical images, such as MRI and CT scans, onto the patient’s body. This can help clinicians to visualize the patient’s anatomy more clearly and to identify abnormalities more accurately.
AR overlay for medical imaging: Surgical Navigation Technologies (SNT) has developed an AR overlay system for medical imaging that can be used to guide surgeons during minimally invasive procedures. The system projects medical images onto the patient’s body, providing surgeons with a real-time view of the patient’s anatomy.
Living a healthy lifestyle is important, and augmented reality (AR) technology can help in various ways. Fitness instructors can use AR to supplement their coaching and evaluate performance from anywhere. For those looking to eat healthier, AR can provide nutritional information and motivate users to follow a balanced diet. In the realm of physical therapy, AR can create immersive and interactive environments to motivate patients to do exercises and collect data on things like range of motion. It can also help alleviate stress by projecting an image of a nonfunctional limb for those with partial immobility.
For medical providers, AR can be used for surgery virtualization to plan and detail operations and optimize the sequence of sub-steps. Virtualized insights on a patient’s condition and medications can raise awareness and confidence, and AR can provide guidance and support for patients recovering from surgery or dealing with PTSD/anxiety. For training, AR can provide immersive learning experiences like studying human anatomy and body mechanics, and life science companies can use AR to educate and engage healthcare providers on therapies and procedures. Telemedicine can also be optimized with AR, saving money and decentralizing provider services. Finally, AR can be used for device operator training, maintenance and troubleshooting, and marketing pitches for medical devices.
AR and VR are still relatively new technologies in the field of medicine, but they have the potential to revolutionize the way that diseases are diagnosed and treated. As AR and VR technologies develop and become more widely available, we can expect to see even more innovative and transformative applications in medical diagnostics.