Published , by Brittany Vincent
Published , by Brittany Vincent
Microsoft's HoloLens is already out doing some good in the world, with an exciting development in the medical world.
The FDA has offered clearance for the OpenSight Augmented Reality System, an augmented reality medical solution for Microsoft HoloLens, for use in pre-op planning for surgery. This is the first AR option on the market, and it projects 2D, 3D, and 4D images of patients by overlaying them on their bodies.
This is achieved via the HoloLens headset to allow for 3D image viewing, which can potentially help decrease time spent in surgery and help with overall surgical planning and the body's makeup.
“This is transformative technology that will unite preoperative imaging with augmented reality to improve the precision, speed and safety of medical procedures,” said Wendell Gibby, MD, Novarad CEO and co-creator of OpenSight. “This internal visualization can now be achieved without the surgeon ever making an incision, improving outcomes in a world of more precise medicine.”
Multiple users can wear multiple HoloLens headsets at the same time, and there's even a version of the software available for teachers to help medical students learn and perform virtual dissections. It's some very impressive and cool technology, to be sure, though it will likely take some time before it's more widely adopted throughout the medical community.