Neurovascular Pathology Viewer

Improving Communication with Patients Through Augmented Reality

As medical professionals working in neurointerventional radiology, we encounter patients every day who have difficulty understanding and visualizing the anatomy of their medical conditions, particularly when presented with traditional medical imaging modalities such as CT or MRI displayed in 2D formats.

To address this problem, we are using augmented reality as a tool to improve communication with our patients. We created a prototype app using the Zappar for Unity toolbox to visualize a 3D model created from real patients' medical imaging data. This app creates an individualized augmented reality experience, projecting different anatomical structures and disease processes onto the patient's body, with a focus on vascular diseases of the head and neck. By manipulating the virtual models in real time, patients can see how their condition affects specific parts of the body and get a better understanding of the location, size, and involved structures of their condition.

To assess the efficacy of our technology, we are conducting surveys before and after patients experience this technology in clinic. We believe that our project has the potential to significantly improve communication with patients and their understanding, particularly in complex cases. We plan to continue refining and expanding the project, with the goal of making it a valuable resource for both medical professionals and patients.