Category: medical

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Bracco Imaging Expand Portfolio With AR Solution

Bracco Imaging, one of the global leaders in diagnostic imaging has announced a new partnership with R.A.W. S.r.l which looks to bring augmented reality (AR) technology into Interventional Oncology procedures.

Bracco Diagnostics Logo

One of the main challenges that clinicians face when carrying out an interventional procedures is the lack of visibility on a target deep within the human body. Continued efforts have been focused on producing higher resolution images, better navigation and image fusion tools. R.A.W. S.r.l. has developed a solution called Endosight that is a guidance system based on AR technology and sophisticated imaging software (Ablation-fit) to produce a 3D reconstruction, planning and diagnosis solution for mini-invasive Percutaneous Tumor Ablation procedures in Computed Tomography-based Interventional Oncology.

Endosight Logo

Luigi Solbiati, Professor of Radiology at Humanitas University (Milan, Italy), Consultant of Interventional Radiology at Humanitas Research Hospital and Scientific Director at R.A.W. S.r.l. commented on the technology by stating: “In our clinical studies, Ablation-fit demonstrated a unique ability to predict recurrences beyond the eye perception of radiologist, In preclinical studies, Endosight demonstrated unparalleled performances that make it possible to “see through” the patient without the need for direct imaging support, thanks to the augmented reality. I have been developing imaging innovations for more than 30 years, and I consider Bracco’s innovative culture the best environment to make new methods grow and spread.”

Talking about the new partnership, Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, Chief Executive Officer at Bracco Imaging said the following: “We’re delighted about this partnership as it will unleash new opportunities to address unmet medical needs in the field of Interventional Oncology, Endosight and Ablation-fit will further expand our portfolio of solutions with technologies that, I’m convinced, will significantly impact the clinician effectiveness during the procedure and the patient outcome.”

Currently set for an initial distribution in Europe by Bracco Imaging through its commercial network, Ablation-fit has the potential to dynamically change the way Interventional Oncology procedures in clinics around the world. The partnership between Bracco Imaging and R.A.W. S.r.l. is also sure to lead to further developments of AR technology for use within the medical sector.

For more stories like this and for more updates on Bracco Imaging in the future, keep reading VRFocus.

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How Osso VR Is Revolutionizing The Way Surgeons Train For Operations

How Osso VR Is Revolutionizing The Way Surgeons Train For Operations

There is a major training crisis happening in the surgical community right now. As technology continues to advance, the need for newer and more specialized forms of training continues to rise. But there are no resources available to teach surgeons both the new and existing ways of doing things. The result is that most surgeons aren’t getting enough training and it increases risks for patients every time they’re on the operating table.

Practicing procedures on cadavers, reading about them, or just watching someone else are never going to be as effective as doing things yourself — but you can’t fabricate the need for operations just because you need to train. This and other medicals problems are ones that VR is uniquely positioned to solve.

Osso VR is a virtual reality technology company founded on the principle of training surgeons with real world skills that can be directly applied when in the OR. It’s impressively designed and even the U.S. Department of Education agreed when they awarded the studio an EdSim prize.

Recently I had the chance to try out one of the training modules for myself to see what it was like. In the scenario I was installing a rod into someone’s shin after they had suffered a fracture. The virtual prompts walked me through each action, from drilling in screws to nailing in rods and everything else. It was a very kinetic training exercise and one that wouldn’t be feasible to try for the first time on a real patient without prior knowledge.

To prove the effectiveness of their training modules Osso VR conducted a study. They had one group of students study the procedure using text books and other traditional forms of education while the other group simply did the VR exercise and that’s it. When both groups tried to perform the procedure on a test body, the VR group dramatically out-performed the non-VR, as was determined by an impartial blind judge.

Osso VR is the brain child of Justin Barad, MD who is a former game developer that went back to school to become an orthopedic surgeon with training from both UCLA and Harvard. The company also has experienced game development talent from studios like THQ, EA, and others.

In addition, Osso VR expands access to training by a large magnitude. Instead of needing complex and advanced hospitals to train in with expensive state-of-the-art equipment, a surgeon on the other side of the world can try the Osso VR module from any PC and VR headset to get the exact same quality training exercise.

Osso VR is already being used and will continue to expand its access as the company grows further. For more details on what they’re doing, you can visit the official company website. Let us know what you think down in the comments below!

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Surgeons Use HoloLens To Get A Better Picture

No surgical procedure is without risk, even the most routine. This is why doctors take advantage of any development that can assist in minimising those risks. The rise of mixed reality (MR) technology like the Microsoft HoloLens is giving doctors a new tool in the fight to save lives.

Surgical teams like ones at Imperial College London are using the HoloLens MR system in operating theatres in order to get a better picture of what is in store before a single incision is even made.

By taking CT scans that have previously been taken and overlaying them on top of the patient in the operating theatre, surgeons can get a much clearer idea of where key blood vessels, bones and muscles are located, allowing procedures to be quicker and safer.

Procedures that have been successfully completed with the aid of MR technology include a delicate operation to move blood vessels from one part of the body to another to help open wounds heal. Patients who have benefited from this include a man who injured his leg in a car crash, an 85-year-old woman who fractured her tibia and someone who developed an infection that required surgery.

Surgeons such as Dr Philip Pratt from the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial College London say the HoloLens technology allows surgeons to understand each patient’s unique anatomy: “To perform the best operation, you have to plan it meticulously beforehand. This technology allows us to experience the data that we have collected from patients before their operation in the most realistic and natural way. You look at the leg and essentially see inside of it; you see the bones and the course of the blood vessels.”

James Kinross, a consultant colorectal surgeon at St Mary’s Hospital added that the knowledge accessible using the HoloLens could be crucial for the success of an operation: “You don’t want to make an incision and find out that you should be two centimetres over here, because that might compromise the operation. This is all about best outcome for the patient,” he said.

A demonstration of the HoloLens technology in use for surgery can be viewed below. VRFocus will continue to bring you the latest news on new applications for immersive technology.

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Virtualising Stress Relief With Kortex

A great deal of research has been dedicated towards methods of reducing stress and promoting healthy sleep without needing to resort to drugs such as tranquillisers or anti-depressants. Some researchers have discovered that virtual reality (VR) can assist in those outcomes, as shown by the Kortex VR device.

Based on technology developed by Fisher Wallace that has been successfully prescribed to patients in Europe, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, the Kortex device is a type of medical VR device designed to reduce stress and increase general wellness.

The creators of the device, Fisher Wallace, have partnered with two videogames companies to produce launch content for the Kortex, which includes Land’s End: A VR Adventure as well as more medically-inclined AppliedVR and Relax VR. Kortex users will also be able to receive new content recommendations on a monthly basis, including titles such as Old Friend and Chocolate by experienced VR director Tyler Hurd.

Designed to be used one or twice a day for 20 minutes, the Kortex device design allows it to attach to the majority of popular VR headsets, including the Samsung Gear VR, Google Daydream, ZEISS VR One Plus, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. The Kortex is not currently compatible with the PlayStation VR.

The Kortex uses electrodes which attach to the skin to provide gentle neurostimulation, which some studies have shown can stimulate the production of serotonin and lower cortisol. The Fisher Wallace Stimulator on which the Kortex is based has been prescribed to over 30,000 patients since 2009.

From February 6th, 2018, visitors to VR World NYC will be able to try out Kortex along with Land’s End: A VR Adventure, which will be installed as a permanent attraction to allow visitors to experience some of the latest developments in healthcare technology.

Further information can be found on the Kortex official website. As always, VRFocus will continue to bring you the latest on new and innovative VR products and services.

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Access Sports Use VR To Ease Medical Anxiety

Waiting for a medical procedure, even a minor one, can be nerve-wracking. Research has shown that virtual reality (VR) can help educate patients on medical issues, and can also help ease anxiety symptoms. Access Sports are utilising this technology to help its patients stay relaxed without using anti-anxiety medications.

Access is trialling the use of VR headsets to ease anxiety in patients who are awaiting medical procedures. Patients will be offered the option of donning a VR headset while waiting for a procedure to begin, or while in post-operative recovery. The option does not cost extra and is available to surgical patients or those undergoing simple office procedures.

The VR equipment has been specially designed for clinical settings, and allows patients to be virtually transported to a variety of locations and experiences, with patients able to choose from options such as games, travel, sports, music or nature. According to research conducted by AppliedVR, pre-clinical results showed a 63% reduction in anxiety for patients using the VR technology, as well as a 24% decrease in pain.

A video demonstration provided by Access shows how a six-year-old boy was able to benefit from the VR anti-anxiety option. Children stand to benefit significantly from this option being available, and children are often likely to be anxious or upset about medical procedures, as it is often more difficult for them to understand the often complicated medical terminology. In addition doctors are often understandably reluctant to prescribe anxiety medication to people under 16, so the VR alternative will likely be welcomed by many parents and young people.

Other medical facilities have also been experimenting with using VR for patient applications. A care centre in Australia has been using VR to help elderly people escape the clinical environment, while a children’s hospital has been using VR as an education tool to help patients and relatives understand the often complex medical conditions being treated. There is also ongoing programs involved in using VR to treat addictions and reduce pain.

Sansum Clinic - VR HMD Trial

For further news on medical uses of VR technology, VRFocus will be sure to bring you the latest.

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Doctors Could See Inside Patients Without Surgery With Augmented Reality

When a patient has a serious internal problem, the best way for doctors to get a good idea of what’s happening is often to see for themselves, though that’s certainly not to say cutting someone open is either easy, or something doctors actually want to have to do. New technology is always being worked on to streamline the complex and time intensive work doctors have to do, and next augmented reality (AR) might be the way for doctors to diagnose problems and plan surgery with patients well in advance of putting them under the knife.

Here on VRFocus we love seeing virtual reality (VR) and AR being used to advance the medical field. Health is incredibly important subject, which is why so many VR and AR companies and so eager to get involved in the space. Whether it’s therapeutic software from Penumbra or Shaftesbury VR, or medical training equipment and software, the future of health seems linked to these technologies.

The new AR software is somewhat similar to some medical imaging software we’ve seen, but this projects a patient’s internals directly onto them, allowing the patient to move around in 3D space and rotate, so doctor can get an accurate image of exactly where bones and organs are located, and where issues are arising.

The University of Alberta reports that the new system, ProjectDR, allows CT scans and MRI data to be displayed directly onto the body. Computing science graduate student and developer of the project, Ian Watts, has said; “We wanted to create a system that would show clinicians a patient’s internal anatomy within the context of the body.”

Watts developed the tech with his peer Michael Fiest. Watts continued; “There are lots of applications for this technology, including in teaching, physiotherapy, laparoscopic surgery and even surgical planning.”

The team at the University intend to test the technology in an operating room and in surgical simulations to see how it works in a real world environment. We’ll report on their findings and the future of the technology as we hear it, so make sure to keep reading VRFocus.

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Augmented Reality for Vascular Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery is one of the most complex and difficult specialisations that surgeons can take. With this particular area, having accurate information on what needs to be operated on. A new augmented reality (AR) system called GLOW allows surgeons to get a better view.

In vascular neurosurgery, it is often necessary to use a highlighting agent such as Indocyanine Green, a fluorescent substance that allows the vascular blood flow to be seen using a near-infrared camera. However, this means surgeons must divide their time between the camera view and the view through a normal optical microscope. The AR GLOW system allows the highlighted blood flow view to be combined with the optical image.

“For the past decade Leica Microsystems has been pioneering new fluorescence imaging technologies in partnership with surgeons to advance surgical practices,” says Markus Lusser, President of Leica Microsystems. “GLOW800 and future modalities based on the GLOW AR platform will allow surgeons to perform life-changing neurosurgical interventions with the confidence that they have the best possible visual information right in the field of view.”

“Leica Microsystems is a company that works closely with neurosurgeons to bring new technologies to the market that really respond to our needs,” says Cleopatra Charalampaki, Professor of Neurosurgery, Cologne Medical Center, Germany. “GLOW800 AR is an exciting new approach which provides a totally new view during vascular neurosurgery. I have excellent spatial orientation and I am impressed with the crisp delineation of vessels. I believe GLOW800 AR fluorescence will have a significant impact on surgical outcomes in the future.”

The GLOW AR system has not yet been cleared for medical use, but visitors to the Congress of Neurological Surgeons will be able to see demonstrations of the technology.

VRFocus will continue to report on new developments in VR and AR.

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Level Ex Announces $11m Funding to Create VR for Doctors

It has been clear for some time that virtual reality (VR) has tremendous potential in the healthcare sector. The technology has already begun to see some use, technology firm Level Ex believe further development is possible, and have secured $11 million (USD) to develop new VR and augmented reality (AR) applications for doctors.

Level Ex first entered the medical VR sector with the launch of its mobile app Airway Ex, which was designed to assist in medical training by requiring doctors to diagnose and perform difficult airway procedures on virtual patients. The company hope to be able to use its new funding to expand its suite of medical apps to include more VR and AR technology as well as introduce new specialities, such as gastroenterology and cardiology.

“Over a billion consumers worldwide play video games – products designed and built by combining cutting-edge tech with a deep understanding of human psychology. Doctors, in contrast, are stuck with dated formats using technology at least twenty years behind the games industry,” said Sam Glassenberg, Founder and CEO of Level Ex. “Now, we’re finally bridging this gap, and providing doctors with ultra-realistic visuals and gameplay mechanics to advance their skills using the mobile devices they already own. The reception has been overwhelming, and now this new funding will enable Level Ex to rapidly expand into new products and medical specialties that address this gap on a much larger scale.”

“Level Ex is disrupting the $30 billion global industry of how medical device and pharmaceutical companies engage and educate physicians on new products,” said Dan Malven, Managing Director, 4490 Ventures, one of the funding leaders. “The Level Ex team has a unique combination of cutting-edge technological skills and a deep understanding of the unmet needs of physicians, medical societies, and medical device and pharmaceutical companies. Level Ex is bringing all these stakeholders together with commercial applications that improve the skills and knowledge of healthcare providers globally, leading to healthier people worldwide.”

VRFocus will continue to report on new developments in VR and AR technology.

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Life in 360°: Learning Brain Surgery

Brain surgery is one of the most complex areas that a medical student can choose to learn. One of the more difficult aspects of training medical students in this area is giving them hands-on experience without risking the patients. Virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree footage is going some ways towards solving this problem.

Alex Alamri, a surgeon at Barts Health NHS trust points out that brain surgery is an intimidating area at the best of times: “Neurosurgery is probably one of the most inaccessible surgical specialities there is, especially from the point of view of the patients and public,” says Alamri. “They can experience a certain element of neurophobia where anything to do with the brain is quite scary.”

Alamri and teamed with his colleague Chris Uff and other specialists at the Royal London Hospital to address this issue, by conducting brain surgery whilst being recorded using 360-degree cameras. A combination of 360-degree cameras in the operating theatre and GoPro cameras attached to the surgeon’s heads allowed for an aneurysm procedure to be captured.

For the , curious, brave and strong of stomach, the experience is available to view below.

VRFocus will return on Monday with another Life in 360°.

Posted on

Life in 360°: Learning Brain Surgery

Brain surgery is one of the most complex areas that a medical student can choose to learn. One of the more difficult aspects of training medical students in this area is giving them hands-on experience without risking the patients. Virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree footage is going some ways towards solving this problem.

Alex Alamri, a surgeon at Barts Health NHS trust points out that brain surgery is an intimidating area at the best of times: “Neurosurgery is probably one of the most inaccessible surgical specialities there is, especially from the point of view of the patients and public,” says Alamri. “They can experience a certain element of neurophobia where anything to do with the brain is quite scary.”

Alamri and teamed with his colleague Chris Uff and other specialists at the Royal London Hospital to address this issue, by conducting brain surgery whilst being recorded using 360-degree cameras. A combination of 360-degree cameras in the operating theatre and GoPro cameras attached to the surgeon’s heads allowed for an aneurysm procedure to be captured.

For the , curious, brave and strong of stomach, the experience is available to view below.

VRFocus will return on Monday with another Life in 360°.