In the 21st century there have been many developments in the field of medicine, such as the incorporation of robotics into surgery. Years ago, this idea was regarded as something practically unreachable and nowadays we use it frequently in challenging areas of surgery, such as Neurosurgery. For the future, experts look to improve the methods to operate in order to create better outcomes and facilitate the doctor-patient experience. One of the many proposed innovative ideas is the application of virtual reality to surgical procedures. Virtual reality is a three-dimensional simulation created by computers, that portrays an image which appears to be real. This technology has been manufactured mostly for recreational purposes like art and entertainment, but the possibility of integrating it to areas like engineering and medicine is already developing. In a span of 50 years this will essentially become an incorporated feature to numerous fields of medicine and it will revolutionize the way surgery is done.
In medicine one of the main issues is that movement is limited during surgery, since it can have many harmful repercussions to the patient, which makes the field of view for the surgeon also limited. Virtual reality provides the ability to have an extensive view of the patient, from all angles, without actually having to move the person at all. This technology has the potential to improve survival rates, reduce OR time, among many others; which would benefit all parties hence why it has already been introduced for training. "A recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials showed a reduction in operative time, error rate and accuracy when VR training is employed for new trainees with no prior experience or when supplemented with standard laparoscopic training" (Khoor Wee). Meaning that not only is it beneficial in many aspects but it is also much simpler and manageable to the individual in charge.
Virtual reality and augmented reality pose an interesting proposition of future developments beginning with more interactive, thorough methods of learning in the healthcare. The notions begin with simpler ways to creatively learn, making the process very reachable, and will end up changing the skills and concepts required in order to operate. "The advantage of the part task approach to simulation, compared with full anatomical simulation of organs and operations, is that they train generic skills for minimal access surgery common to many surgical disciplines" (McCloy). Residents from countless different places would get to have a much better, enhanced view of the field and learn more from each procedure. "The system allows instructors to highlight different components of the brain, such as arteries to show an aneurysm, bones to show skull deformities or tissue to show a tumor, while rotating the view to illustrate how a tumor or aneurysm looks from different angles" (Erickson M). Every single individual involved in the process would benefit from the incorporation of the virtual reality; since for one it creates a fuller vision of the process that needs surgical solution, and also it aids in the discussion of therapeutic options and other notions in the pre-operatory. It contributes a further visualization of not only the compromised region but also of the structures interacting with it, the connected tissues and other essential connected regions. This would allow complications to be prevented before occurring, being able to assess the best surgical approach before beginning to operate. Moreover, it would help prevent setbacks created during surgery, since usually the field is different than the information MRIs, CT scans, and other images could provide. This would create a representative view of the zone that is being worked on without actually opening up the patient.
After learning all the possibilities that this scientific advancement brings, the focus should be narrowed upon how tangible the idea is and the development predicted by different companies. Starting with Precision OS Technology, a company that focuses on Orthopedic Surgery advancements and it recently secured 2.3 million dollars in investment to take the different considerations generated by the incorporation of VR into surgery and make it a reality (Burgar Dan). "The company produces high fidelity virtual reality software for tiered surgeon education and preoperative planning and offers critical surgical metrics with haptic feedback" (Burgar Dan). They have already begun experimenting and it won't be long before they begin to use it in minimalistic surgeries.
In healthcare advances there has already been a significant amount of money placed into this virtual reality idea because the benefits it provides are so significant and could save numerous lives. "The global Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR) in healthcare market size was valued at USD 568.7 million in 2016 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 29.1% during the forecast period" (Grand View Research). In general, the significant amount of funding means that it isn't just an idea that could or couldn't be integrated but rather it is something that is definitely being looked into currently and some companies have begun to develop certain aspects of the virtual reality enhancements already. There are projections that the subsidy is growing and as technology itself advances these ideals will become more conceivable and in the span of 50 years a reality.
Multiple companies located in the United States have recently acquired investments to develop the Virtual Reality incorporation in the field. Synchthink is developing the VR devices for eye tracking mostly on affected vision areas and as of January 18, 2018 it had raised 3.5 million dollars. Meridiun focuses on the pre-operatory aspects of image viewing and tracking of patients, and as of December 15, 2017 they had raised 2.5 million. Osso VR applies virtual reality in generating headsets to coordinate and follow the patient's movements and surgeries live. As of June 14th, of 2017 it had raised 2 million dollars (D'Sa Leah). SentiAR is developing "interactive 3D hologram of the patient's anatomy and catheter location" (D'Sa Leah) in order to replace other imaging techniques currently used and improve surgery quality. It had a funding of 1.1 million dollars by August 31st, 2017. ImmersiveTouch is another developing company that is using virtual reality for medical training and it has actually begun to incorporate it in major medical centers such as Johns Hopkins. They're using the technology to use current imaging machinery and convert it into three-dimensional simulations, and as of January 25th, 2018 they announced a million-dollar funding addition (D'Sa Leah). It can be observed that many of these large investments have been placed recently and they continue to grow by year, enlarging in money and frequency, indicating that the growth spur will only enlarge as we step into the future.
"The global market for Virtual Reality (VR) in Healthcare is projected to reach US $3.8 billion by 2020, driven by technology advancements in healthcare IT, expanding applications into diverse medical disciplines, and increasing demand for rehabilitation and simulation theory" (Global Industry Analysts Inc.) There is a great proposal for future investments because virtual reality can be utilized in multiple medical fields and it provides a much safer and successful surgery ideal. As we advance in society and technology there will be more creative purposes for VR and it will become more useful and essential as time passes.
As can be seen from the investment trends in multiple companies and analysis of the market, virtual reality is the future and not just for big companies like Google, Facebook, GoPro and others that have already placed assets into VR. It is also for smaller research-based companies that will focus on a specific medical aspect they want to develop. Medicine taking a step towards the virtual reality future that is in front of us. Companies are focusing on pre-operation aspects like imaging, full three-dimensional scans, preparation of the doctors and residents, the ability to study from previous procedures as if you were in the operation room, and many more Furthermore, there will be incorporation of patient contact with the technology, since they will have questions answered that before doctors couldn't approach, and they will be able to see exactly what the procedure consist of in their own bodies. Surgical advancement aspects are also being developed, such as being able to observe everything that you are doing from all possible angles in real time during a procedure. Post operatory inclusion similarly is being researched, such as the tracking of patient images and complete body scans timed in live interaction.
As we can see by the revision of this projected future technology, Virtual reality is being developed by some influential companies that have placed a lot of individual funding in making advances towards a future of virtual medicine. A lot of money has been invested in VR and there are currently many people working on bettering the idea, in hopes of creating a wholesome and safer future for surgery and medical advancements. In theory by 2025 the technology will have been fully developed so that it can begin to be used in trials and slowly incorporated into surgical procedures. Therefore, by 2050 this Virtual Technology will have become as common as robotic surgery is in today's world.