5 Super Simple (yet effective) AR Apps and their Successful Entry in the World of Augmented Reality Healthcare Applications: Augrealitypedia
5 Superb Augmented Reality Healthcare Applications (Image Credit: Ted Eytan)
You must be familiar that many AR apps use Augmented Reality to make our life more interactive and entertaining. But, today I will discuss about some AR apps which utilize Augmented reality in the conjunction of medical science. I will discuss about some Medical AR Apps.
Also, you will come to know that although these AR Apps look simple to use, but yet very revolutionary in the healthcare industry. Undoubtedly, in near future these Augmented Reality healthcare applications will become an integral part for many healthcare professionals.
5 Superb Augmented Reality Healthcare Applications:
A lot of innovation involving Augmented Reality is going on in the healthcare industry. And, many Augmented Reality healthcare applications have already developed till date. While few of them are used as educational AR Apps in the Institutes, few others are already being used in some hospitals.#AugmentedReality and #ARApps are Ready to Revolutionize the #Healthcare Industries in the #Medical #Education and #Training Field. Share on X
Let me make you familiar with the following 5 Superb Augmented Reality Healthcare Applications:-
#1. Holo Eye Anatomy
Well, learning human anatomy is the most basic necessity for you as a medical student. And, a lot of lectures, diagrams, physical models are always available to support your learning. But, these traditional approaches do have limitations.
To relate your studies with actual construction of the organ, a lot of imagination is required. And, this imagination becomes more difficult as you go into more details. But, with the help of Augmented Reality, learning becomes more engaging and interactive.
And, your study material literally becomes alive with the mixed reality headset like Microsoft HoloLens. Nowadays, healthcare industry understands this situation very well.
For example, the LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) has developed a learning app “Holo Eye Anatomy“ to study the human eye anatomy in depth. This app works exclusively on the Microsoft HoloLens.
In the below YouTube video, the team of LVPEI explains the usefulness of Holo Eye Anatomy.
In short, a realistic 3D model resembling the actual human eye is created at first. Then, using the interactive Augmented reality technology of Microsoft HoloLens, the application projects the realistic 3D model of the human eye to a near by vision-plane.
And, voila! you can literally interact with this virtual 3D model (Hologram). Moreover, by using simple hand gestures, you can also pan, zoom, rotate or slice the 3D model to know any specific detail.
#2. AccuVein
AccuVein is another simple yet very useful Augmented reality application for the healthcare industry. This application utilizes the Augmented reality technology to locate veins. But before proceeding to the details of this application, let me ask you one simple question: – “Why effective vein visualization is important for the healthcare industry?”
The quite obvious reason is the patient comfort. Also, in the case of infant, elderly people, dark skinned patients, obese people, etc., vein visualization become very difficult with the naked eye. The AccuVein comes with a unique solution for this problem.
The application comes bundled with the device AccuVein AV400 in the form of a handheld scanner. With the help of advanced technology of Augmented reality, it displays the arrangement of blood vessels on the surface of the skin.
The below YouTube video explains the functions of the AccuVein AV400 in details.
But, what about the technology behind the AccuVein App? The technology behind the magic of differentiating veins from the surroundings lies in the lap of simple physics.
Yes!, veins carry blood and the blood consists of Hemoglobin with reddish pigmentation. Thus, they absorb light differently from the surrounding tissues. And, using the simple property of light, this healthcare application can highlight only the veins and not the surroundings.
#3. VeinSeek Pro
As the name suggests, like AccuVein, this Augmented reality healthcare application is also for finding (visualizing) the veins. But, unlike AccuVein, VeinSeek Pro is a standard AR App available for iOS platform.
For android users, this is also available on Google Play store with a different name VeinSeek. You can purchase the application from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
Just install it, Run it and start finding the veins. It utilizes your device camera and flashlight to function as a vein visualization tool. The below YouTube video demonstrates the working of VeinSeek Pro on iPhone.
The function and basic technology of this application is very similar to AccuVein. Although, the application is quite useful to visualize and study the anatomy of blood vessels lies under your skin, I would like to add one important note here. I request you to use the VeinSeek Pro as a learning app only and NOT as a diagnostic tool for any disease.
#4. Touch Surgery
Well, in my earlier post, I have mentioned a few best Augmented Reality surgery techniques. Also, one of the most acceptable way to learn various surgical procedures is to do practice (simulates) on some virtual surgery simulators.
Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices and Touch Surgery jointly introduce their Augmented reality simulator in the form of an AR App. And, they name it as Touch Surgery.
Yes!, Touch Surgery is one of the award-winning AR app to practice and learn a lot of conventional surgery procedures in a very interactive manner. This application is freely available for Android and iOS platform.
Also, according to the description page, this AR App has endorsed by various Associations for Surgery like, AASH and BAPRAS. Moreover, it has already integrated into more than 100 residency programs in the US.
The below YouTube video introduces this awesome Augmented reality app to the healthcare industry.
Like many Augmented Reality apps, the user interface of Touch Surgery is very interactive and easy to use. And, the best part is that the application consists of a large database of more than 150 simulations (with realistic 3D visualization) for various surgical procedures.
#5. Proximie
One of the most challenging job in the healthcare domain is to remotely utilize the expertise of highly skilled doctors and surgeons. Undoubtedly, to get support or guidance from a remotely located doctor, hospitals can share the live video of their operation theater with him.
But, the local doctor still depends upon the verbal instructions (over the phone) from the remotely located doctor. And, this leads to a possibility of misinterpreting the instructions.
Augmented Reality has a simple solution for this problem. Yes!, an Augmented Reality App, named as “Proximie” provides a common interface between the two doctors, situated miles away.
Here, the two doctors not only see and discuss the procedures rather the expert can actually make annotations on the live streaming itself. These annotations can include text, images or links to other supporting videos.
The below YouTube video demonstrates the use of Proximie for remote skin cancer surgery.
In simple words, the Proximie converts the live streaming interactive by embedding useful information onto it (AR Overlay). Thus, it eliminates the possibilities of mistakes. Moreover, another practical application of this Augmented Reality app in the healthcare industry is to provide an interactive learning platform for the medical students.
Wrapping up
To summarize, I can say that Augmented reality healthcare applications play a major role in the healthcare industries. And, a lot of medical AR Apps already exist to enhance the medical education and diagnosis procedures. Also, latest innovations like Microsoft HoloLens, help these Augmented Reality applications to become even more interactive and realistic.
That’s all from my side. In the comment section, let me know what you have liked the most? And, If you like my post, do share it with your friends.
Also, to keep updated about Augmented reality, don’t forget to subscribe on my website. Additionally, visit my Facebook page and do follow @Augrealitypedia on Twitter.
Well researched and beautifully presented article, giving a very clear and precise information about augmented reality health applications in very simple words to the readers. This is a must read article for all medical students.
Thanks for such a nice and descriptive appreciation.