Augmented
reality (AR) enhances the objects around you which gives you an interactive
experience with the real environment. The computer enhances perceptual
information. It is received through sensory modalities – smell, touch, visual,
auditory, and somatosensory. All these are captured using displays, cameras,
and sensors. The best example of Augmented reality is Pokemon Go wherein you could find and capture the
imaginary animal on busy streets using your smartphone.
Augmented
reality isn’t a new concept. With the advancement of sensory technology,
excellent quality of camera and software augmented reality has experimented
widely now. However, one should not confuse it with virtual reality. Virtual
reality is wherein a new 3D world is created and the person loses his touch
with the real world. In the case of augmented reality, the surrounding objects
in the real world are simply enhanced. Few examples of apps that use AR are IKEA, Google Sky Map, L’Oreal
make-up, and SpotCrime. Google Glass is another AR
platform that was developed and had become quite popular as well.
Augmented
Reality & Healthcare
One
of the best usages of AR is in the field of healthcare due to its distinctive
features. Instead of visualization, using displays and sensors one can see what
goes inside the human body. AR can help in patient education where doctors can
explain surgical procedures easily. Google glass that uses AR was first used in
an operation by Dr. Rafael Grossman. Augmented reality will be a boon to
medical professionals as well as for future research & education purposes.
Implementation
of Augmented reality in Healthcare
Benefit
for the Patient
Most
of the time patients are unable to explain their symptoms properly to the
doctor. They are unsure about their actual health condition in the present and
the future. With augmented reality, patients are in a better position to
address their concerns. They can use the AR app to check their symptoms and
their real state of health. Also, the doctors will be able to show them the
effects of the present lifestyle and persuade patients to bring in positive
changes. The patients need not read the long list of drug descriptions of
prescribed medicine. With the 3D AR technology, they can see how the drug works
within their body.
Consultation
using AR
Motherhood
is a tiring and testing time for a new mother. During the initial day’s
breastfeeding, mothers find it difficult to feed her child properly due to
various reasons. A company based out of Melbourne conducted a Google glass test
in association with the Australian breastfeeding
association. The mothers were able to share their perspectives with
experts and were able to find solutions to their problems while breastfeeding.
This could happen only due to the AR-enabled technology of Google glass. The
problem can be shared in real-time and the issues can be resolved at the
earliest.
Life-saving
information
Augmented
reality helps to store crucial life-saving information on apps. For example,
Radboud University of Netherlands created an AED4EU AR-driven app for the
phone. One can easily download it and use it with the Layar browser.
This app can tell you the exact location of automated external defibrillators.
During an emergency, one can have access to such an extremely life-saving piece
of information.
Benefits
for nurses & surgeons
It
is tough to find a vein to draw blood from the hand or to inject intravenous
shots. With the usage of AR hand-held scanner technology, the nurse can see the
vein and draw blood or give the shot. The patients are relieved to have found
the vein in the first attempt itself. It saves time and ensures the elderly or
children need not face undue duress while taking a shot.
Surgeons
can depend upon 3D AR and can operate with precision. The success rates of many
complex surgeries will increase. Unnecessary risks can be avoided. They can use
image reconstruction technology to reconstruct any tumor. This will give an
x-ray view to doctors in real-time and they will be able to locate the tumor in
any part of the body to operate on. The level of difficulty and risk is
lessened to a great extend using AR.
Motivate
people
To
be in good health is the need of the hour. But at times we take health for
granted. We either give-up exercising or maintaining a good lifestyle. AR helps
to show the present state of health of the body, motivating people to change
their present lifestyle. Using AR we can make boring activities like a run or
walk more pleasurable. There are certain AR apps available, for instance, the
Zombie run that helps you to run daily by converting your daily run task to a
game format. All this ensures people take steps towards better health.
Benefits
for the pharmaceutical company & researchers
Researchers
can use augmented reality tools to check and monitor the result of their
ongoing experiments in healthcare. In the pharma company,
the workers can have access to AR apps understand the functionality of various
devices. The requirement of on-the-job training can be done away with. This
would save time and money usually spent on imparting training.
Education
& Training
Medical
students can have access to the human body in 3D AR. This makes learning not
only interesting but also brings in more clarity. They can see the muscles,
veins, and tissues in the holographic model using AR-based apps.
Conclusion
Augmented
reality technology is a boon to healthcare. Presently we are at the
experimental stage with AR, but soon it would be used in a full-fledged manner.
From assisting surgeons in surgeries to staff training to patient rehab
programs everything will be done using the AR technology with ease. People will
be able to analyze their health in real-time and take precautionary measures to
maintain good health in the future. AR is a game-changer & the future of
the healthcare system
If
you have any questions on our offerings in the AR/VR space and our work in healthcare, email us at info@aventior.com.