New medical augmented reality tech lets doctors 'see' under your skin

Image credit: University of Alberta

It sounds like the stuff of science fiction: an augmented reality program that can look through your skin and show doctors what's ailing you.

But that's essentially the idea behind the new ProjectDR, which was developed by two graduates of the University of Alberta in Canada, reports CBC News. 

Thing is, it's not really looking through your skin; instead, ProjectDR uses medical images from sources such as CT scans and lines them up with the patient's physical body while the doctor looks at them.

A little unfortunately, it doesn't use a device like the Microsoft HoloLens; instead, ProjectDR uses a projector to display the images on the body. 

But, it does come with many perks, such as allowing for specifics. If the doctor just wants to see a patient's lungs, that's possible. Tracking sensors on the patient's body allow the images to line up as intended, even while patients move around.

Future features may include automatic calibration and sensors that accurately portray the depth of organs.

It's cool, of course, but more importantly, developers Ian Watts and Michael Feist hope that doctors will find it useful for a range of options from surgical training to chiropractic care and physical therapy. 

Watts especially sees it as useful for laparoscopic surgery, which involves small incisions and a tiny camera and similarly miniscule instruments.  

With ProjectDR, physicians would be able to see where those tools currently are in relation to other key organs, lessening the risk of accidents.

Augmented practicality

ProjectDR is but one program in a growing list of practical medical applications for augmented reality.

Last year, one of the more impressive uses of the technology we saw was a mixed-reality interface from Scopis that helps surgeons with spinal operations. 

With the Microsoft HoloLens, surgeons could accurately align pedicle screws in vertebrae fixation surgeries without having to constantly look at an external monitor.

• Leap into augmented reality later this year with the Magic Leap One

source http://www.techradar.com/news/new-medical-augmented-reality-tech-lets-doctors-see-under-your-skin