Virtual Reality Photography in Hospital Fosters Effective Communications for surgery

Technology improves life style and promotes medical advancement. Invented by Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, the "Virtual Reality (VR) Photography in Hospitals", winner of the Hong Kong Information and Communications Technology Grand Award 2008, well represents this. The technology of VR photography uses scanners to generate 3D images. The doctors would see through the organs of the patients with special eyeglasses for better operation effectiveness. The applications of VR photography technology in hospital include stereo panoramic viewing technique, augmented virtual reality photography and virtual hospital planning tool. Traditionally, the doctors evaluate a surgical operation using X-ray films, computerized axial tomography (CT) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The technology of VR photography allows 3D images to be generated from CT or MRI. Using special 3D eyeglasses, doctors can visualize the internal organs of patients.According to Dr. Carrison TONG, Medical Physicist of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, the "stereo panoramic viewing technique" uses 3D volume display technique to show users the "depth". It can also combine different segments of images to improve the accuracy of surgical evaluation. The hospital can also produce anatomical atlas for medical education in the future.

VR Photography can see through every body parts in 360 degrees, allowing the surgeons to have accurate information before the operation.

Unlimited Application Potential for Effective Communication Channels

This award-winning technology has been applied in various hospital projects, including filmless hospital, ward design for infection control and medical education. Taking ward design as an example, Dr. TONG explained that the virtual ward tour allows clinicians to plan and explain complex hospital operation, ward design, and medical procedures to the other parties. At present, this technology can also be applied in monitoring the ventilation system of isolated wards as well as the interior design of the hospitals.

"This technology is most beneficial to the surgeons, as they can plan for surgeries more effectively by allowing the doctors to match the medical image with the patient as well as knowing the distribution of the blood vessels. This technology will be further improved by adding in a "tracking technology", which allows doctors to simply wave their hands to control the 3D image. In this way, the doctors can operate the surgeries while looking at the 3D scans without using the mouse", explained Dr. Kai-hung FUNG, Consultant Radiologist of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital.

Dr. FUNG concluded that VR photography is a new era of ICT application in the medical industry. It fosters an effective visual communication platform among different professionals that can be applied to improve accuracy of surgery, improve infection control and safety and enhance medical training.