Augmented Reality (AR) in Healthcare – Web and Mobile App Examples

Technological advancements have improved the quality of service in many industry verticals, including healthcare. One of the unique solutions is the use of augmented reality, or AR, visible in various avenues of this industry. Statistically, the global AR healthcare market expects a CAGR of 27.4% within the projection period of 2019-2026.

One example is the AR-controlled scanning systems that allow surgeons to get visual representations of medical issues like fractured bones, tumors, and aneurysms. With the computerized projections, they can map the correct treatment sequence for patients without actually going into invasive surgeries first.

There are many examples of Augmented Reality in healthcare, especially with web and mobile-based solutions. You will learn about some of them here.

What is AR in Healthcare?

 AR stands for augmented reality and involves a digital projective of information and images with artificial intelligence support. With AR, one gets visual representations of blueprints, scans, and maps virtually, separate from the physical environment.

 

Some standard scanning systems in the medical field include ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), x-ray, computed tomography (CT), and other such technology. With advanced AR technology, healthcare professionals get many innovative products, like assisted reality glasses, intelligent helmets, and MR holographic displays.

The MR hologram technology is helpful in medical training and surgical assistance. Extended reality or XR solutions are highly usable in healthcare as well. Statistically, XR technology is visible in 41% of healthcare medical solutions and services.

Examples of AR in the Healthcare Industry

 Companies are focusing on high-quality web and mobile app development while incorporating AR solutions in these services. There are multiple notable examples of their availability in the healthcare industry for training, medical practices, and other related activities.

 

Multiple examples of augmented reality are visible in the current market. Here are some of the best ones.

 

AR solutions in different surgical procedures

 

With the help of AR, there is a noticeable improvement in the surgical field from various angles. Many developers utilize a web application to display virtual information via smart glasses, so surgeons do not have to divide their attention between screens.

Here are some notable examples of AR in healthcare relating to different surgical procedures:

 

• AR with brain surgery– In Surgical Theater, LA, USA, a healthcare startup and Medtronic collaborated to prepare an AR-optimized solution using the surgical navigation system of Medtronic, named StealthStation S8. With this, neurosurgeons can virtually see brain structures and try out surgical steps/equipment in AR before the real-world procedure.
• Post-Covid-19 surgical solutions with AR support– The recent global pandemic’s influence significantly impacted the medical industry. As the novel virus’s front-line defense, healthcare professionals were at a higher risk of infection. Therefore, senior surgeons or healthcare professionals could not travel for consultations, especially with the governmental regulations. Here, AR Healthcare-based telesurgery systems are usable alternatives.

• AR-supported plastic surgery is related to mobile app development with AR integration, most notably seen by a software agency in New Jersey. SmarTek prepared a customized AR medical app. Here, the smartphone device’s camera can apply different virtual dental imagery depictions with better quality on top of the current photos of the patient. So, they can understand how the procedure results will suit their face type/body type before beginning the procedure.

 

Patients can provide better symptom-related information with Augmented Reality

 

Due to the shift to remote-based healthcare services, patients must meet doctors through online platforms like telemedicine apps for consultation. However, this is not the most suitable solution in many cases since patients can sometimes find it challenging to explain their ailments adequately.

Moreover, one might miss out on giving specific information about health issues that are underlying symptoms of a condition, but they cannot detect it. Doctors can give the wrong prescription after this, which is one of the major drawbacks of online medical consulting.

 

However, with the support of an AR development company, it is possible to optimize this, like what was seen with Oculenz in the ophthalmology sector. This solution is helpful for people that have central vision loss. Doctors can showcase a simulated vision to visually-impaired patients about the long-term effects of specific conditions. When patients see such examples, they feel encouraged to seek proactive medical help in the early stages.

Hololens for medical education improvement

Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University, and Microsoft partnered for mobile app development and prepared HoloAnatomy. This app lets one see a simulated view of the human body using an AR headset. Details visible in the holographic models include minute parts like veins and the overall muscular structure of the internal human body.

Gamification in healthcare with AR

The gaming industry highly utilizes AR technology, which is influential in the healthcare sector with some apps. One notable AR-enabled app example is the Zombies Run! Game, available to iOS/Android mobile users. This is a gamified solution for healthcare that many users opt for weight management and exercise.

Conclusion

Multiple examples of Augmented Reality in healthcare industry have recently been visible. This collaboration will only expand further with these solutions’ uses in simplifying the learning, scanning, and pre-surgery planning processes.