This is how virtual reality is applied in Medicine – The Times Hub

Home Health This is how virtual reality is applied in Medicine February 15, 2022

The conception of the virtual reality is generally associated with the video game industry; however, this technology is forever changing a large number of sectors, such as education, communication, manufacturing, construction and, in addition to a long etcetera, it is also getting strongly into medicine, as explained in the article Virtual reality in medicine, a key factor for the training of doctors of the future published by Generalia.

In some cases, medical VR involves the use of classic hearing aids; in others, 3D glasses and special video screens provide a virtual reality-like experience.

La RAE define Virtual Reality (VR) as the representation of scenes or images of objects produced by a computer system, which gives the sensation of their real existence. Virtual Reality (VR for virtual reality) is a science based on the use of computer systems that generate real-time representations of reality that allow the user to have the feeling of being present in it, although in reality it is not more that of perceptive illusions without any physical support and that only occurs inside computers, defines the expert Pedro Andres Novillo.

It was in 1986 when Jaron Lanier coined the term virtual reality and in 1995 when they published one of the first reports called Virtual reality graded exposure in the treatment of acrophobia: A case report. It was the case of a patient with acrophobia (fear of heights) who attended a session twice a week where they used VR to deal with anxiety, anguish and other symptoms. The results showed that with the introduction of virtual reality, the patient was faced with a scenario that reduced his fear more successfully, and therefore VR was an effective method of treatment. Since then, this type of technology has expanded to be applied in very diverse fields.

Virtual Reality is already used since the training of new doctors, nurses and physiotherapists. the simulator Virtamed medical training aims to transfer skills from the virtual field to the operating room. Through various clinical applications, students are offered a realistic training environment that reduces the time and cost of training and eliminates the risk of making mistakes.

This simulator has its application, for example, training to perform knee, shoulder, hip and ankle arthroscopies or in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, from obstetric ultrasound to embryo transfer and IUD placement. In addition, the simulator includes medical training in urology, laparoscopic surgery, and gynecological surgery, among others.

Obstetrics and gynecology

Transvaginal obstetric ultrasound of the first trimester. The realistic tactile feel of the transvaginal probe makes it easy to transfer skills from the ultrasound simulator to the patient. Focusing on fetal ages between 5 and 12 weeks, clinicians learn to assess the viability of the first trimester fetus, including pregnancies of unknown location and ectopic pregnancies.

Transabdominal obstetric ultrasound of the second trimester. The first simulator that incorporates the 20+2 scanning protocol. It offers the most systematic approach to examining the fetus in the first and second trimesters. Equipped with a patented probe that allows free navigation throughout the abdomen, the simulator experience is as close as possible to the real-life setting. Physicians can practice in more than one hundred cases, various fetal positions, different locations of the placenta and doppler images. Fetal age ranges from 10 to 26 weeks.

embryo transfer

Developed in collaboration with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), it is used for embryo transfer training in In Vitro Fertilization and Intrauterine Insemination.

IUD insertion

Diversity training cases teach clinicians how to safely insert intrauterine devices (IUDs) into anteverted or retroverted uteri, along with nulliparous or nulliparous patient cases. Repeatable scenarios help students quickly master relevant motor skills while safely manipulating and correctly placing inserts. Once again, the patient comfort scale provides immediate feedback on the safety and quality of the procedure. Exterior views and ghost tools guide the student during the first practices. Later

Urology

Allows students to gain experience in harvesting prostate tissue with ThuLEP and HoLEP. The size of the prostate ranges between 55 and 90 grams. Students learn to use different power settings and laser techniques, such as vaporization, enucleation, or vaporsection. Safe handling of the laser fiber without any harm to the virtual patient is one of the main learning objectives of this laser HBP training.

Surgery: Virtual reality can also be adapted to the field of surgery. With the help of 3D programmers and modellers, the patients anatomy can be accurately reproduced, with the intention of practicing the operation before carrying it out.

The General University Hospital Gregorio Maranthrough its Biomedical Research Foundation and the Musculoskeletal Tumor Unittogether with the Spanish company Exovite, has carried out a pioneering project in the world that has allowed the Microsoft HoloLens mixed reality device to be used in a actual surgeryspecifically in a malignant muscle tumor.

Alzheimers

There are virtual reality techniques that can help patients recover cognitive abilities. They are made by reproducing images of the past. The objective of this system is to enhance the patients concentration and improve her attitude, since apathy or lack of concentration are problems that derive from this disease. These methods are carried out through the reproduction of events, experiences or family gatherings that can stimulate the patients memory.

phobias

According to MedlilnePlus, a phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It is a strong and irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger. There are many types of phobias. Acrophobia is the fear of heights. Agoraphobia is the fear of public places and claustrophobia is the fear of closed spaces. If you feel anxious and insecure about everyday social situations, you may have a social phobia. Other common phobias include tunnels, highway driving, water, flying, animals, and blood.

Virtual reality is intended to progressively expose the patient to their fears in an artificial environment. For example, a patient with a phobia of spiders will put on the virtual reality headset, and will encounter the insect at a certain distance. At first, the animal will be far away and could even look like a cartoon, progressively, the animal will take shape and be closer to the patient. The aim is to reduce anxiety thresholds progressively.

Some advantages of using virtual reality for the treatment of phobias are: At all times the professional will be able to control and modify the degree of interaction of the environment with the patient. Greater participation of people, who will prefer to treat themselves with virtual reality rather than face fear live; the effects that are experienced in virtual reality remain in reality. The results obtained and the sensations are generalized in real environments; and it is not worth training the imagination since the traditional method to deal with phobias is to imagine the situation and with virtual reality we will avoid this stretch, exposing the patient to the problem and speeding up the process.

phantom limb syndrome

It is the perception of pain that a person with an amputated limb has. The brain continues to send impulses to the amputated area and the absence of stimuli generates pain. In this case, virtual reality allows the patient to restore the brain state prior to amputation. The system is carried out with a monitor, a camera and placing a marker on the stump. The patient sees the movements on the monitor thanks to electrodes that capture the electrical activity of the muscles.

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This is how virtual reality is applied in Medicine - The Times Hub