Mixed Reality
Mixed Reality is a term that encompasses a wide range of technologies, but in general refers to computers and how they affect reality for either the patient or the doctor. Mixed reality includes many cutting edge technologies that will most likely be prominent parts of the medical field in the future.
AUGMENTED REALITY
Augmented Reality, or AR, is a technology that enhances the way a person views the physical world. This is achieved through computer assistance. Augmented Reality differs from Virtual Reality in terms of the user's presence in the real world. AR users can see and hear everything going on in the real world, only it is enhanced with other visual inputs. This enhanced reality can be very beneficial to doctors performing surgery, or other areas of medicine. The implications of this technology are endless. AR can be used to visualize anatomy, see live vitals, and visualize veins to assist with blood draws or surgery. Anything and everything can be affected by this technology. At Duke and other institutions, surgeons are using headsets in orthopedic surgery to visualize the patient's anatomy and implants during hip surgery.
PRE - PLANNING
Pre-Planning is a way for medical professionals to ensure proper preparation and increased accuracy for surgery. One company, named Brain Lab, has a wide range of technologies that accomplish this task, as well as many others. At this stage, the majority of this technology is geared toward procedural planning and patient anatomical mapping. This can then be viewed through AR and/or VR. This planning aspect helps doctors become more familiar with the specific procedure, thus improving surgical outcomes.
ARTIFICIAL INTELIGENCE
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is a technology quite new to the world at large, let alone the medical field. Its potential implications have been envisioned for many years, and now, with recent progress, are becoming reality. AI is advancing rapidly, and it will soon be a mainstream component of patient care. AI is limitless in its uses: it can assist with reading scans and X-rays, optimizing and speeding decision-making, and even guiding equipment without human interference. AI will change the medical field in a way we have never seen before.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Technologies that fall under the Mixed Reality umbrella have major potential implications for patient care. In my opinion, these technologies are the definition of the future, and these advancements benefit all aspects of the field. Not only do they make it easier for doctors to perform tasks, but they also improve the accuracy and outcome of the task. This clearly benefits patients as well. Mixed reality will only grow from its the present day - the sky is the limit.