Virtual reality in medicine

Abstract

Computer modelling and simulation have become increasingly important in many scientific and technological disciplines owing to the wealth of computational power. Calculation of the behaviour of these computational models is increasingly replacing experiments on real world objects—for example, in the car industry (tests based on simulated crashes) or in the development of nuclear weapons—and is becoming an indispensable tool in the development of new products and procedures. Likewise, the development of techniques for acquiring data (for example, medical imaging) has enabled the easy generation of high resolution copies of real world objects from the computer's memory. The development of imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and ultrasound, has made the acquisition of highly detailed anatomical and partially functional models of three dimensional human anatomy a routine component of daily clinical practice. #### Summary Points The principal aim of virtual reality technology is to present virtual objects or complete scenes to all human senses in a way identical to their natural counterpart Simulated three dimensional reconstruction of organs from radiological cross sections is an important diagnostic tool by providing clinicians with a more naturalistic view of a patient's anatomy Preoperative planning with the use of a computer including realistic prediction of the outcome has become an integral part of the intervention in certain disciplines, such as radiation therapy, craniofacial surgery, or neurosurgery Computerised three dimensional atlases of human anatomy, physiology, and pathology are about to revolutionise the teaching of these subjects Several virtual reality systems have been developed and tested for the physical or mental rehabilitation of patients and for supporting mental health therapy Virtual reality technology plays an important role in telemedicine from remote diagnosis to complex teleinterventions #### Technical data for virtual reality devices ##### Display screens Usual screen resolution: 1024×768 or 1280×1024 pixels In stereoscopic mode the vertical resolution is halved: 1024×384 or 1280×512 For head mounted displays …