3 AR Driven Innovations in the Medical Industry

By Embedded Advisor | Monday, January 20, 2020

AR-driven innovations in medical devices are aiding surgeons to have an enhanced understanding of individual medical conditions.

FREMONT, CA: Technology is transforming the medical industry at a massive pace. Advancements in robotics, nanotechnology, smart implants, and other innovations are expected to impact the device market exponentially in the years to come. Augmented reality (AR) is a new addition to this list. The potential for advancements in AR will also trigger scope for various professionals, including physicians, engineers, and other stakeholders in the device manufacturing market. As per Axiomtek, embedded technology has been largely impacting complex medical instruments as well as procedures such as surgical procedures.

Although AR has been primarily associated with the gaming industry, medical device manufacturers are leveraging the technology for improvement in device designs and efficiency. AR can also enable surgeons to create models and scenarios before approaching a risky operation. Here are the primary ways in which AR will impact medical instruments and surgeries.

Improved Surgical Navigation

Surgeons often leverage computer-based navigation systems like computed tomography-based CT scans to understand the complexities involved in an operation and to pre-plan the procedures. Such navigational systems can offer 2D-3D imagery to aid surgical planning. AR can complement the available imaging technology and provide the surgeons with an understanding of the surgery challenges in detail.

3D Fluoroscopy-Based Systems

AR is also powering fluoroscopy, which is the primary means of visualization during transcatheter procedures for heart diseases. AR can offer 3D images of the sagittal, coronal, and axial reconstructions. The technology also allows better-selected visualization of several anatomical views in the operation theater without moving the patient.

Imageless Navigation Procedure

An imageless navigation system is yet another application of AR that utilizes a computer and infrared pointers to mark affected areas on a patient’s body. The computer processes the information and matches it to various referenced CT scans to develop a model that provides the virtual image of the selected areas.

Thus, AR is constantly shaping the various aspects of medical device innovations. The future of advancements in medical device technology will be influenced by the innovations in AR.

See Also: Top AR/VR Solution Companies