How Can Life Sciences Leverage AR and VR?

With AR and VR reaching a tipping point in the life sciences industry, players will have to embrace those technologies to survive the competition.

FREMONT, CA: As with several new digital capabilities, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR and VR) technologies made their first inroads in the consumer world as forms of entertainment and gaming. Now they are reaching a tipping point where enterprise adoption is beginning to outpace entertainment use cases. Initial hurdles in technology, cost, and content are starting to fall, and early adopters are already hard at work, creating solutions to help transform life sciences. Know more here.

Whether the life science classroom focuses on biology, health, or chemistry, augmented, and virtual reality can help bring those topics to life. These technologies help students better understand scientific principles and existing structures. Three-dimensional models of the human body allow students to explore anatomy without an anatomy lab. They have many applications beyond anatomy. Virtual reality allows users to explore complex compounds in methods never imagined. AR apps allow students to combine compounds with seeing what issues may arise. 

It also enables them to observe microbiology interactions on a scale that would otherwise need complex microscope work.

AR can also help reduce patient pain and anxiety levels without additional medication. Simple surgical procedures often need general anesthesia to reduce blood pressure levels. Some hospitals are experimenting with using VR to transport patients to other locations, distracting them from the procedure, and reducing the need for anesthesia and pain medications. Simultaneously, surgeons can experiment best for a particularly complex surgery before they even touch a scalpel. VR, combined with CT, or MRI scans, creates a virtual surgical environment, enabling surgeons to try the surgery several times to find the best possible patient solution.

Developments in AR and VR technologies is emerging as an indispensable component of the medical technology revolution.  Incorporating AR and VR devices in today’s diagnostic techniques is set to become the most popular strategy for stakeholders in the life sciences landscape. Innovations in imaging technologies and improved sensor devices' abilities are helping AR and VR roll out efficient diagnostic tools in various medical conditions.

See Also: Top AR/VR based Application for Healthcare Industry