AR/VR Technologies Transforming Healthcare

The healthcare industry has been transformed by augmented reality (AR)/ virtual reality (VR) technologies that have integrated advanced medical devices. AR and VR technologies are currently employed in various medical applications, including surgery or pre-surgery planning and/ or navigation, simulating medical procedures before the surgery, visualizing complex anatomy to assist surgeons during operations, physical therapy, and rehabilitation, as well as assisting patients in managing their chronic conditions effectively. This improves the surgical outcomes and alleviates the probability of complications. Medical training tools are combining augmented and virtual reality tools to have healthcare professionals’ experience realistic and immersive learning. This was particularly significant during the pandemic situation when virtual care became incredibly valuable. The healthcare industry is currently seeing an uptrend in investment and regulatory approvals for novel technologies, transforming how healthcare is delivered.

How are AR/ VR Technologies Transforming the Healthcare Sector?

Augmented Reality technology superimposes computerized images or information onto the user’s real-life environment. The virtual environment of AR is intended to coexist with the natural environment. On the contrary, Virtual Reality is an entirely immersive technology that takes the user to a simulated virtual environment that can be explored and interacted with through a VR headset or other equipment.

The first virtual reality medical device was developed in the 1990s and used for training purposes in surgical or medical procedures. However, AR/ VR applications in healthcare have expanded remarkably with technology developments, and their capabilities have significantly raised interest in extended reality medical devices.

These extended-reality medical devices have benefits for patients and medical professionals as follows:

Figure 1: Benefits of AR/ VR in Healthcare

• Accessible Healthcare: AR/ VR devices bring healthcare to rural areas, which provides access to specialized care that patients may not otherwise receive
• Superior Medical Training And Education: Medical colleges or students can use AR and VR technology to simulate medical procedures that reduce preoperative anxiety
• Enhanced Patient Outcomes: AR and VR can provide surgeons with improved visualization for more accurate and precise diagnoses, which ultimately improves patient outcomes
• Reduced Errors: AR/ VR allows medical professionals to observe patient’s anatomy meticulously and design a definite plan for the procedure, which reduces medical errors
• Increased Patient Engagement: The technology helps patients understand their medical condition and treatment options, enhances patient engagement, and facilitates treatment adherence

Applications of AR/ VR Technologies in the Healthcare Sector

Augmented reality and Virtual reality have a series of applications in medical equipment or wearables across several areas

Figure 2: Application of AR/ VR in Healthcare

• Surgery/ Treatment: AR/ VR can simulate a surgical/ treatment procedure before execution to help medical professionals contemplate all the probable scenarios. Doctors can more easily and precisely detect or assess any risk during a procedure using 3D imaging, surgical navigation, computer-assisted treatment planning, and sensor data. Some mobile applications are developed for live video streaming and navigation of patients that can assist medical professionals in controlling remotely performed surgeries. These technologies are mainly beneficial for orthopedic and spine surgery, neurosurgery, and laparoscopic surgery because of enhanced precision and accuracy, shortened surgery/treatment period, and reduced risk of complications.
• Medical training and education: AR/ VR facilitates theoretical learning for medical professionals and students, which can be applied to the simulation of medical procedures, training on medical devices, anatomy instructions, etc. This enables the professionals to acquire hands-on experience in risk-free conditions by simulating dangerous and difficult circumstances. It also helps in planning for future procedures, which helps avoid the ethical and moral concerns involved in this training process.
• Diagnosis and Telehealth: Patient data or vital information about a patient’s health condition can be monitored remotely and in real-time using AR/ VR devices such as medical reports, body scans, medical statistics, etc. while ensuring data security and privacy. This aids the medical professional in acquiring comprehensive details of the patient’s health and taking the required action. AR/ VR applications can also be helpful for remote consultation or telehealth, which cuts the cost of physical visits. This boosts the patient experience and enables physicians to consult with patients remotely.
• Rehabilitation: Patients with deteriorated motor skills with severe nerve, limb, and brain damage can recover their skills with AR/ VR technology. This technology transforms a session for therapy into a gamified experience, motivating them to virtually achieve their goals, including performing their daily tasks in the digital environment, which in turn aids in their recovery. This simulation of real-life activities can be modified and customized based on the patient’s recovery. AR/ VR technology-based rehabilitation can stimulate patient’s reflexes, problem-solving skills, balance, and coordination practices in a safe and monitored environment.
• Pain Management: Virtual reality can distract a patient’s attention from pain or intense distress, which can reduce pain levels and the use of harmful painkillers. It is an effective alternative for relieving pain and can also be used during childbirth as a substitute for epidural anesthesia and other drugs.
• Mental Health Problems: AR/ VR can be used for psychotherapy to treat several mental health conditions. Physicians can create a controllable environment with pre-set circumstances using AR/ VR medical devices to assist patients in controlling their fears and gaining confidence. The immersive and realistic experience of AR/ VR devices offers relaxation therapy to deal with various anxiety issues and stress disorders.

Latest Activities in AR/ VR Technologies in Healthcare

A few notable recent updates in the field of AR/ VR in medical devices or wearables that offer highly accurate simulations and natural interaction with digitalized objects and environments:

• Fresenius Medical Care: It has recently launched an Augmented Reality training program for the intensive care unit staff. The AR glasses are combined with digital learning modules and real-life training on continuous kidney replacement therapy systems. This innovative solution ensures that the staff is equipped with the knowledge required to provide high-quality patient care.
• Ocutrx: It launched an enhanced DigiLoupe AR headset to improve a surgeon’s visualization during spinal surgery using augmented and extended reality. The device displays 3D holographic surgical site images and addresses small procedural issues with traditional devices.
• AppliedVR launched RelieVRx®, an authorized prescription therapeutic virtual reality device for chronic lower back pain. The device offers a completely immersive experience to help the injured individual reduce and manage their pain intensity.
• Osso VR, a virtual training company, launched a surgical training app, Osso Health. The app will control the Apple Vision Pro augmented reality headset. It simulates orthopedic procedures such as total knee replacement and carpal tunnel release with a 3D interface controlled completely by the operator.
• The FDA declared a new Home as a Healthcare Hub initiative using AR/ VR medical device technologies. To improve health equity, the home environment must be reimagined as part of the healthcare system.

Figure 3: Few Players in AR/ VR in Healthcare

Driving Factors of AR/ VR in Healthcare

Growth drivers of AR/ VR technologies in medical devices or wearables include:

Figure 4: Driving Factors of AR/ VR in Healthcare

• Increasing usage of AR/ VR technologies in healthcare: Medical institutes and hospitals worldwide are progressively using AR/ VR technologies for medical training, research, diagnosis of a disease/ condition, patient care, and other applications. The technologies are majorly employed in laparoscopic surgery training and knee replacement.
• Growing need for patient safety: Few patients still encounter injury or damage during medical care due to safety lapses, which leads to deaths. According to a study by AHRQ, medical errors or misconduct can be reduced by 50% with the help of medical simulation through AR/ VR technologies.
• Rising occurrence of chronic diseases: A major source of deaths is owing to chronic diseases/ conditions such as heart disease and cancer, which accounts for approx. 38% of deaths around the globe. Medical simulation is becoming gradually prevalent due to its potential for application in the training of medical specialists for disease detection/ diagnosis and treatment worldwide.
• Need for Top-Notch Medical Education: The need for excellent medical education is increasing as the technologies and medical procedures become more complex. AR/ VR medical device training must be more engaging and immersive to improve learning outcomes.
• Growth in the usage of connected devices: Healthcare has significantly changed because of technological advancements, from medical connected devices that can be used with the Internet of Things (IoT), mhealth, artificial intelligence/ machine learning, etc., to MRI scanners and radiotherapy. The increased adoption of advanced technologies and rising healthcare investments support the healthcare AR/ VR technologies market.

Challenges of AR/ VR in Healthcare

Several challenges need to be addressed for the extensive acceptance of AR and VR in medical devices or wearables:

Figure 5: Challenges of AR/ VR in Healthcare

• Cybersecurity and Privacy Threat: While evolving technologies like AR/ VR for medical devices are essential, enhancing data protection and privacy laws is also necessary since medical information is susceptible and should be kept confidential.
• Lack of Standardization: Varying medical simulation regulatory settings worldwide cause complications with adoption and standardization. Due to the lack of standardized practices, healthcare services and medical professionals face challenges in implementing and integrating medical simulation technologies.
• High Cost: AR/ VR medical devices encompass high computing power and cutting-edge visual capabilities. This makes them expensive and complex to manufacture, restricting their accessibility and availability in certain areas and populations.
• Lack of Assessment Tools: More assessment tools are required for clinical validation and accurate evaluation of AR/ VR medical devices’ usability, safety, and technical competencies. This leads to a complicated and prolonged regulatory process.

Conclusion

Augmented Reality/ Virtual Reality medical devices show excellent potential in some interesting areas, including advanced diagnosis, imaging/ visualization, assisted surgery, and chronic disease management. The ophthalmology and mental health domains are witnessing substantial changes with the help of virtual reality-integrated medical devices in telemedicine. Moreover, while researchers and innovators are busy advancing technology to make it patient-friendly, gaining regulatory approval, collaborating across industries, and providing needed training, the devices are in clinical trials that are being explored further. Overall, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in medical devices have opened exciting new possibilities for improving patient care, improving medical training, and providing more efficient medical output. In the near future, AR/VR in surgeries will play an important role in reshaping healthcare, promoting innovation, and ensuring better patient outcomes.