VR In Medicine – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

December 12, 2017

SONIFI Health and Shaftesbury Work On Therapeutic VR

Though hospitals are places where people go to get better, for many people the clinical environment is stressful and not conducive to healing. SONIFI Health in partnership with virtual reality (VR) content company Shaftesbury VR is using VR to tackle this problem.

The two companies have teamed up to create the Positive Distraction Entertainment System, or PDES, which is comprised of a suite of VR experiences and videogames that are aimed at promoting better patient outcomes by reducing stress and pain, without needing medication. The game engine is designed to dynamically adapt to each patient to create a sense of flow and calm. The system can even in adapted for special requirements such as sound or light sensitivity.

The aim for SONIFI is to integrate this system, along with VR head-mounted displays (HMDs) into its interactive patient engagement system in hospitals, so doctors can offer distraction therapy alongside traditional pain and stress management.

“Particularly now, the healthcare industry is looking for safe, drug-free choices to help manage pain and stress,” said Bob Sullivan, General Manager, SONIFI Health. “SONIFI Health is thrilled to work with Shaftesbury VR to bring this clinically-tested experience to our clients and ultimately to patients seeking comfort.”

“We are proud and excited to take Shaftesbury’s renowned entertainment pedigree into the VR marketplace with a niche focus on the growing health and wellness industry,” said Jay Bennett, SVP Creative & Innovation, Shaftesbury. “We see a range of opportunities to connect with new audiences, in new ways, through the power of storytelling. We are thrilled to be working with SONIFI Health to explore the promising future of VR and the life-changing difference we can make at the intersection of entertainment and healthcare.”

The Shaftesbury VR system currently offers twelve titles, which are:

Enchanted Forest: Built for children of all ages and designed to capture attention & induce calm
Bubble Bloom: An under-the-sea experience where users can blow bubbles at passing fish, creating a deep sense of flow
Aurora: Users control the lights of the Aurora Borealis while collecting fireflies
Morning Devotion: This peaceful setting with spiritual content includes scripture reading
Zen Garden: Place of health, harmony and the balance of nature
HD Video Experiences: Instructions for guided breathing and meditation

VRFocus will bring you further news on medical VR projects as it becomes available.

November 13, 2017

Revinax Using HoloLens for Surgical Training

Microsoft’s HoloLens appears to have emerged as the preferred device for use within a medical setting. Doctors have already begun using the mixed reality (MR) device for applications such as consultation, surgical planning and sports medicine. Now Revinax are using the technology for live surgery.

A surgical procedure was performed successfully at the Montpellier University Hospital in France under the supervision of neurosurgeon Dr Lonjon, with a surgical team equipped with HoloLens headsets, which provided additional information and imagery during the procedure, such as a 3D video of a similar surgical procedure, or patient scans and medical information, all within the surgeon’s field of view.

“This is the perfect tool for any surgery. As a teaching surgeon, I can create my own tutorials to deliver them to students before and, now also, during surgery. They can use the tutorial as a reminder during the operation. The patient imagery and planning feature also avoids unnecessary distractions: we now no longer need to check these data on the computer during the operation,” said Dr Nicolas Lonjon, neurosurgeon and teacher at the Montpellier University Hospital.

The use of the HoloLens in this way, with the Revinax mixed reality surgical environment has been viewed as something of a breakthrough. The company are already considering how else to apply the technology, turning its attention to surgical training. The company has noted that though surgical demonstrations are often at the core of training, only the surgeon has a perfect view of the procedure, which can mean students miss vital details.

“When it comes to surgery, a certain amount of “watch and learn” will always be necessary. Virtual reality and mixed reality provide new opportunities to efficiently train surgeons by giving them a direct view of the operating site. Students can now observe the entire procedure from the perspective of the performing surgeon.” Dr Maxime Ros, neurosurgeon and co-founder of Revinax.

VRFocus will bring you further information on medical uses for mixed reality technology as it becomes available.

May 10, 2017

Paramedics in Florida Using VR for Training

Paramedics, Firefighters and other emergency services personnel must go through vigorous training before they head out into the field to save lives. Even then, however, those men and women can be shocked by the experience. Using virtual reality (VR) is perhaps one way to tackle this problem.

Firefighters in Palm Beach, Florida have added a VR device to the list of tools that can be used when training new firefighters for what they will face. The VR device joins the full-staffed lab equipped with training devices, such as training mannequins that have a pulse, blink, breathe and respond to questions.

“They are much more calm in the field because they’ve seen it already,” explained Chief Cory Bessette, “It is so realistic and it puts you in that scenario where there is a little bit of stress, where you’re sweating a little bit and you’re trying to work through the scenario.”

“You literally want to suck them into a scenario so everything else is out and they’re taking care of that patient at that time,” commented EMS Coordinator Lou Steinberg. The VR headset was provided as a donation from the community, which, as Bessette points out, is comprised of the same people who will benefit by having emergency services personnel who are ready for any scenario.

Firefighters who are going through the VR training are not warned what the training experience will feature, so those who put on the headset do not know what to expect in order to make the experience as realistic and immersive as possible.

“You feel like you’re really standing in that room when you’re in the virtual reality world,” commented Lt. Ryan Winkelman upon trying the VR training experience.

The Palm Beach firefighters join NASA astronauts, doctors and sports teams in using VR to enhance training.

VRFocus will continue to report on us of VR for training and education.