“Immersive technology is already at the center of most digital innovation projects across healthcare settings that we have seen, and as mixed reality hardware becomes more accessible and deployable, we will see a surge in application use.” By Jake Warren-Simpson
Mixed reality is an innovative technology that combines the real and virtual worlds, resulting in interactive visualizations. It is rapidly gaining popularity in the healthcare industry, as it offers new possibilities for improved patient care through the integration of medical devices with mixed reality.
In healthcare, mixed reality involves the use of devices like headsets, smart glasses, and other wearable gadgets to overlay virtual elements onto the physical environment. This provides healthcare professionals with enhanced visualization, interactive guidance, and collaborative capabilities.
Mixed reality allows users to view three-dimensional representations of real objects within their physical surroundings. Examples of prominent mixed reality technologies include Microsoft HoloLens and Google Glass. Apple has also joined the field with a mixed reality headset, Vision Pro, that utilizes sensors, advanced optics, and holographic processing. These headsets display digital overlays that blend with the real world and hence creating mixed or augmented views.
The potential of mixed reality in healthcare is vast. It can greatly assist doctors and medical specialists in patient treatment and educate consumers on how to better care for their health.
Before delving into the potential of mixed reality, let’s explore some figures that highlight its significance in healthcare.
According to an International Research Journal on Innovation in Multidisciplinary Fields, 55% of their studies show that incorporating mixed reality with medical devices improves patient care. Additionally, 32% of the findings suggest that mixed reality enhances collaborations among healthcare professionals and leading to remote medical assistance. Moreover, 26% of the analyzed material emphasizes better clinical decision-making and optimized healthcare delivery. Mixed reality also supports the learning and skill development of healthcare trainees, as indicated by 25% of the research materials. Lastly, 45% of the study indicates a willingness among healthcare professionals to adopt mixed reality tools.
These findings clearly demonstrate that an increasing number of medical professionals recognize the potential of using mixed reality integrated with medical devices to provide better healthcare services, while healthcare professionals can deliver high-quality care to more people in a shorter timeframe through mixed reality.
“What makes mixed reality particularly suitable for use in healthcare are its 3D capabilities, with scalable objects that can be interacted on simultaneously by several participants and its ability to provide a deeper and better understanding of complex issues.” From E-Magazine by MedicalExpo
Mixed reality has the potential to revolutionize patient care across various domains. Let’s further explore the possibilities and benefits of mixed reality in healthcare and well-being.
Surgical planning and assistance: Surgeons can utilize mixed reality technology to plan surgeries effectively. This involves visualizing patient-specific anatomical structures, simulating procedures, and practicing complex techniques. During the actual surgery, mixed reality can provide real-time guidance and critical information. For instance, Microsoft HoloLens enables surgeons to overlay CT scans and MRI images onto their real-world view, offering precise guidance and reducing the risk of errors.
Rehabilitation and physical therapy: Mixed reality can be used to create interactive and engaging rehabilitation exercises for patients, aiding them in their recovery journey. It provides personalized guidance, monitors progress, and motivates patients to adhere to their therapy regimens. Google Glass, for example, enhances rehabilitation and therapy by overlaying visual cues, and gamified elements and offering real-time feedback. This makes the experience engaging, motivating and helps patients perform correctly while tracking their progress.
Medical training and education: Medical students and trainees can benefit from immersive training simulations, virtual anatomy models, and interactive learning experiences through the use of medical devices. These gadgets provide a unique and effective way to learn complex medical concepts.
Overall well-being: Mixed reality has the potential to enhance relaxation techniques and mindfulness exercises by providing an immersive and controlled environment. Apple’s Vision Pro offers an innovative and immersive environment experience, allowing users to connect with the incredible world of Reality.
The future of mixed reality in healthcare holds great promise. As technology continues to advance, we can anticipate improvement in hardware, software, and data integration. With enhanced user experience affordability and greater accessibility of mixed reality devices, we can expect to see its adoption across different healthcare settings and branches. Furthermore, advancement in extended reality may further enhance the capabilities of mixed reality applications in areas such as diagnostics, treatment planning, and personalized medicine.
