Research paper
afaibor
MedicalAugmentedReality.pptxMedical Augmented Reality
By: Ashhton Redmond
HUMN 344 Technology and Culture
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Augmented Reality In the Medical Field
Have you ever had a medical procedure that requires an IV (intravenous injections) and the nurse cannot seem to find your vein, so you end up being stuck over and over only to find bruises the following day? Or what about those horrific stories about a procedure going wrong because something was in a hard spot, so the doctor was not able to get everything or the doctor left gauze in? Those experiences and stories are scary to go through and hear about.
While production companies struggle to understand the needs and technical barriers that exist, Augmented Reality is an excellent technology because can help surgeons become more efficient at surgeries, assists nurses with more accurate vein location and training, and helps patients explain their symptoms without missing details.
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What is Augmented Reality (AR)?
Augmented reality (AR) is an enhanced version of the real physical world that is achieved through the use of digital visual elements, sound, or other sensory stimuli delivered via technology. (Hays, 2020) AR uses a digital augmented overlay on a real-life environment. This process can be seen on apps that support augmented reality, such as Pokémon Go. But AR is not just limited to the use of fun apps and games. AR has been used in hospital operating rooms and is vastly taking over the medical field.
Why Augmented Reality?
Spine Correction
Vein Location
Augmented Reality has evolved into a life-saving tool used in the medical field, especially in hospital operating rooms, with nurses and helping patients with metal health issues.
In June 2020, a groundbreaking xvision Spine System was successfully used for the first time in a spinal fusion surgery. Xvision allows surgeons to visualize the 3D spinal anatomy of a patient during surgery as if they had “x-ray vision,” and to accurately navigate instruments and implants while looking directly at the patient, rather than a remote screen.
AR helps nurses locate veins faster and more accurately to reduce the risk of injury and the need to re-do the IV (intravenous) or blood draw. AccuVein works by detecting hemoglobin (protein found in red blood cells) in the blood which absorbs infrared light. When the device is held above the skin, veins appear noticeably different than the surrounding tissue. (AccuVein, n.d.)
Patients who suffer from mental health issues can benefit from AR using escapism (the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy). Exposure therapy as part of integrated health is what many refer to it as, and historically it meant therapy centered around low 'doses' of whatever a given patient views as a threat, slowly adding more and more until a given fear has subsided. (Deamer, 2020)
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(Problem) = Technology
Early detection is the problem. If doctors and nurses were able to detect illnesses sooner, then maybe people would be able to fight the illness sooner and increase life expectancy.
AR allows doctors to get closer than ever to diagnosing illnesses earlier.
Using AR in the operating room helps doctors navigate procedures easier and more accurate to ensure nothing is missed.
Nurses have higher chances of not missing a vein when setting an IV and drawing blood.
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Whose problem is it, really?
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Misdiagnosis
Late detection
Errors
Unnecessary treatments/procedures
Unnecessary repeat of procedures
Yours. Mine. Everyone’s. Patients are the ones who suffer because as a patient, we place all our trust in the medical professionals. What happens when the medical professionals are unable to fully help their patient because of technological limitations?
Ouch, technology! Which people and what institutions might be most seriously harmed by a technological solution?
Technology can be a wonderful tool and it can be a harmful one. Because technology is a program, it exposes risks. The risks can hurt everyone involved – Patients, Doctors, Nurses, Hospitals, Manufacturers… There is risk when being exposed to technology. Security needs to be priority when it comes to patient information and ensure hackers are unable to decrypt saved information.
Oh look, more problems What new problems might be created because we have solved this problem?
“Every solution breeds new problems.” Arthur Bloch
This is an important concept to understand because having a solution to a problem introduces new problems that were not there before. With new technology, there are several unknown factors:
The possibility of cost rising in order to not only create the systems/programs on a global scale, but also technology compatibility.
Trained personnel – Lack of trained staff to understand and use the technology
Security – Meeting HIPPA standards is a MUST
Unlimited Power – To an extent What sort of people and institutions might acquire special economic and political power because of technological change?
Movies have shown us that medical and technological advances always end up in the wrong hands. The wrong hands are typically people in power such as government agencies and the military. But what if that was, ok? What if medical AR advancement was used for soldiers overseas who are trying to help people with a language barrier or what if the government decided to help 3rd world countries using medical AR?
Ch-Ch-Changes What changes in language are being enforced by new technologies, and what is being gained and lost by such changes?
New technology comes with new understanding. Not only are new terms created, but also new ways of communicating. Being able to communicate with patients to help them understand the new technology, what it does and how it is used can be tricky. Training is needed, complete understanding of the technology in order to confidently pass the information can be a barrier that takes quite a bit of effort to overcome.
Thank You!
Conclusion
The future of AR in medical is limitless. As new solutions are being developed and better results in patient’s health are achieved, life expectancy will increase, and less health problems will be permanent. AR in the medical field can also open doors for new specialties in both medical and technology jobs/careers. Of course, there will always be risk and threats, but the risk is worth the reward.
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References
AccuVein. (n.d.). Physicians. Retrieved from accuvein.com: https://www.accuvein.com/accuvein-for/physicians/#:~:text=How%20Does%20It%20Work%3F,sample%20or%20administer%20IV%20medications.
Augmedics. (n.d.). Augmedics’ AR platform turns surgery into a game of Operation. But with less noise. Augmedics.
Buzz Destination. (2021, April 21). 10 WORST CELEBRITY PLASTIC SURGERIES. Retrieved from buzzdestination.com: https://buzzdestination.com/10-worst-celebrity-plastic-surgeries/
Deamer, L. (2020, September 18). The benefits of augmented reality for mental health. Retrieved from electronicspecifier.com: https://www.electronicspecifier.com/industries/medical/the-benefits-of-augmented-reality-for-mental-health#:~:text=With%20augmented%20realities%2C%20programmers%20can,their%20fears%20are%20not%20reality.
Egliston, M. C. (2020, June 18). Pokémon Go Wants to Make 3D Scans of the Whole World for 'Planet-Scale Augmented Reality Experiences.' Is that Good? Retrieved from nextgov.com: https://www.nextgov.com/emerging-tech/2020/06/pokemon-go-wants-make-3d-scans-whole-world-planet-scale-augmented-reality-experiences-good/166232/
EveryPixel. (n.d.). Retrieved from everypixel.com: https://www.everypixel.com/image-4558969705803330885
Hays, A. (2020, December 2). Augmented Reality. Retrieved from investopedia.com: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/augmented-reality.asp
Lucas, G. (2005). Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
Near-Infrared Light Assists Phlebotomists In Finding Veins. (n.d.). Retrieved from sensing.konicaminolta.us: https://sensing.konicaminolta.us/us/blog/near-infrared-light-assists-phlebotomists-in-finding-veins/
Puri, A. N. (2017, March 4). Augmented Reality: Revolutionising Medical Applications. Retrieved from electronicsforu.com: https://www.electronicsforu.com/technology-trends/augmented-reality-revolutionising-medical-applications
Roberts, N. F. (2020, July 28). Covid Crimes: Espionage, Hackers And Why America Is Vulnerable. Retrieved from forbes.com: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolefisher/2020/07/28/covid-crimes-espionage-hackers-and-why-america-is-vulnerable/?sh=29c4a6fb5873
William Omar Contreras López, P. A. (2019). Intraoperative clinical application of augmented reality in neurosurgery: A systematic review. Volume 177, 6-11.
