Virtual reality helps to better understand complex anatomy
Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR and AR) technologies are being adopted in radiology. On the patient side, a 3D medical image from the patient is being used to educate patients about their disease or procedures.
For radiologists or other professionals, VR is being used to visualize complex anatomy in a 3D/4D environment. This includes reviewing congenital heart disease 3D datasets and preoperative brain imaging.
More information:
The FDA’s move reflects the coming increase in the use of precision and augmented reality devices in radiology
POCUS is growing rapidly
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) saw a huge explosion in use during the COVID-19 pandemic, further increasing the number of physicians using this imaging technology. Its use was seen by many during the epidemic and doctors do not want to give up this tool that helps compare “quick appearance”.
These systems are also becoming more advanced in terms of the quality of images and dimensions they can handle. This is due to the combination of artificial intelligence and the use of computing power using the Internet, so not everything must be on the smartphone that is being used to get photos.
Medical schools are beginning to teach students to use these tools as part of their patient evaluations, so POCUS should continue to be used across all ologies. Some experts have predicted that POCUS may replace the stethoscope as a diagnostic tool, and it appears that this may be the case within the next decade.
More information:
POCUS coverage: Urban areas, rural deserts
VIDEO: Ultrasound procedures at ACC 2022
