1. Perform surgery – McGill University is the first North American institution to use Target Guided Surgery (TGS) for sinus surgery. The system superimposes critical information about various canals and targets onto the surgery images, assisting surgeons in navigation and reducing complications. Watch: McGill University surgeons review this useful tool.
Other tools, such as the Scopis Holographic Navigation Platform, use CT and MRI data to project planning details onto a surgeon’s vision during a surgery.
2. Simulate conditions – Pharmaceutical marketers have discovered the value of AR as an empathy machine, superimposing visual symptoms over a participant’s reality. In one example, GSK’s Excedrin team collaborated with migraine sufferers to replicate common migraine symptoms. The sufferers then nominated a loved one or colleague to take the simulator with them for a normal day. The experience allowed non-sufferers to empathize with their suffering and eliminate misunderstanding.
3. Illuminate veins – Using infrared technology, AccuVein’s AR vein illumination devices locate veins beneath the skin’s surface and project an image onto the skin. Unlike older vein-finding technology, these devices do not need to come in contact with the skin. This allows the devices to work on a variety of patients and remain sterile, reducing discomfort and stress.
4. Enhance vision – Startups VA-ST, OxSight, and Aira have developed AR software that recognizes and identifies 3D objects, allowing patients with visual impairments to navigate their world with confidence.
ColorBlindness SimulateCorrect is an AR app that uses a camera on your mobile device to simulate and correct color blindness in real-time. The University of California at San Diego and Magic Leap are currently developing color-correcting applications for AR wearables.
5. Improve learning – The applications of augmented reality in medical education are endless. In this example, Case Western Reserve University partnered with Microsoft to revolutionize anatomy classes, eliminating the need for cadavers:
What are your favorite applications of AR in healthcare? Let us know
