AR - The big little brother of VR

Augmented Reality (AR) is a method for visualizing complex data in the user's natural field of vision. Through the use of head-up displays, projection techniques or special glasses, information is additionally integrated into the user's field of vision. Instead of creating a complete reality, as is the case with VR in medicine, AR expands the user's field of vision with useful information in the form of text, graphics or other visualizations. This data is intended to provide the user with the best possible support in carrying out his or her work. Thus, AR in medicine shows users their real environment, but expands it with useful, digital add-ons. The possibilities of this technology in terms of medical progress are immense. AR actually has its origins in the head-up displays from fighter jets of the 1970s. As a result, the pilots did not have to lower their eyes to read relevant flight data. However, it took a good twenty years until commercial and private use outside of the military. So-called "tracking" has been the Achilles' heel of AR to date. This means the precise mapping of the projected graphics to their environment. This was successively researched and improved by various research teams. In the meantime, AR is increasingly being used both commercially and privately. How far the tracking has progressed can be seen today, especially in the private sector. If you turn on the inner camera on Snapchat or Instagram, you can change your face in a wide variety of ways with various filters. Even if this use seems banal, it is no less revolutionary.

However, there is no widespread use purely via private fun programs and gaming, although the possibility of AR is considered to be great, especially in medicine. After all, the gaming industry can be understood as the driving force behind this technology.

AR in medicine is still in development and the breakthrough across the board is far from being achieved. However, the possible potential of this new technology gives hope and a glimpse into the future. But how exactly can AR be used in medicine? In order to prepare and plan an operation, doctors must study all available image data, such as CTs or MRTs, from the patient in advance. The challenge in the operating room is now to transfer the previously memorized images to the real operation situation. A further complication is that three-dimensional image data is regularly represented using individual sectional planes. The doctor must then be able to use this information in his own transfer activities. AR opens up many new avenues for medicine. In this way, AR glasses enable anatomically superimposed display of three-dimensional images and planning data. This allows three-dimensional content to be visualized directly on the patient. This can therefore help to support physicians in their challenges in the OR and to make medical interventions more targeted and safer.

The advantages of AR in medicine are particularly evident when it is combined with known technologies and imaging processes. AR in medicine therefore makes a significant contribution to minimizing possible sources of error. It thus sustainably improves German health care. Furthermore, the new visualization options enable extremely complex operations to be carried out, which doctors still reject today due to the high risk and demands. AR offers another advantage in the training of young doctors. The students can move freely and work simultaneously on anatomical 3D models. You can take these models apart layer by layer. As a result, they understand the human anatomy better and more sustainably. AR also helps in medicine with the understanding-oriented education of patients. By using the "supportive reality" they can better understand illnesses and the procedure itself. This enables patients to make a medically sound decision about medical treatment.

AR is also used outside of the operating room. For example, it can be used excellently in the field of medical technology design. Manufacturers are already using the new technology to present medical devices in practices or hospitals. In view of the often voluminous and bulky medical devices, this is already an enormous advance. This means that the respective device can be projected into every practice or operating room and its full functionality can be checked. This gives users a good impression of the ergonomics and usability of the end device. On one hand, this is associated with drastic cost and time savings for the manufacturer. Furthermore, the feedback from the medical staff can now be integrated more quickly, which increases the development process and thus also the quality of the products in the long term. The manufacturers also have direct contact with the user in the area of ​​the graphical user interface, which means that any changes can be made in no time at all. As a result, medical applications, programs and equipment can be used intuitively in the long term.
AR also represents a major advantage for medical technology when it comes to possible repairs. These can sometimes be extremely complex and time-consuming. With the help of the AR, the technician can carry out all maintenance, inspection and repair tasks in a confined space. This means that the devices are back in action faster and ready to support the medical staff.

If you have any further questions about the use of AR in medicine or medical technology, please feel free to contact us at any time. We are pleased about your inquiry!