At the Birmingham City University in the United Kingdom researchers are working on an augmented reality system that would help clinicians manipulate and interact with patient imaging scans, related anatomical models, and data from electronic medical records. Many practical use cases for this technology is envisioned, including helping to relay to patients the effects of their lifestyle choices, how their anatomies are impacted by various diseases, and what to expect from interventional procedures. Additionally, it may be a practical hands-free way of navigating through tomography scans during surgeries without having to worry about maintaining sterility.
“The real advantages this brings are being able to visually demonstrate parts of the anatomy, using virtual models which can be customised for each patient and show how they have been impacted by lifestyle choices or how they may be changed following treatments or surgery,” said Dr. Ian Williams of Birmingham City University.
Cameras are used to track a person controlling the system and different gestures of the arms and hands trigger certain things to happen, such as moving and rotating the virtual anatomy and sifting through different image sources.
The system is being designed to be open to integration with a wide variety of data sources and applicable to different diseases and conditions.
