Advanced 3D augmented reality technology providing a more accurate, effective and efficient method of medical education

Project Information

Anatomy Next

Grant agreement ID: 815679

DOI

10.3030/815679

Project closed

EC signature date 22 May 2018

Start date 1 June 2018

End date 30 September 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

ANATOMY NEXT SIA
Latvia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Anatomy Next (Advanced 3D augmented reality technology providing a more accurate, effective and efficient method of medical education)

Reporting period: 2018-06-01 to 2018-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Anatomy Next is a Latvian company founded in 2015 in Riga to provide medical and healthcare students and professionals an outstanding technology to learn and dive into the human anatomy. Anatomy Next offers interactive, high-resolution 3D human anatomical models that can be dissected through Virtual Reality (VR) in a life-like experience. Their first product, the Head and Neck 3D model, is a multi-platform software (desktop, web, VR) currently suitable for teaching anatomy of the head and neck to University medical students; however, the team is working towards developing high-resolution interactive models of the whole body. The key objectives of the development are to create whole-body 3D models of both male and female; develop models of relevant pathologies; implement the software platform with learning assessment systems; validate the feasibility of using their service for teaching human anatomy through in-field pilot with different Universities.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Throughout the duration of the project, Anatomy Next defined the users’ requirements for software interface, define the software specifications and reviewed its development plan, and scouted for third parties to support in the development and validation stages. The market segments and opportunities have also been evaluated, defining the TAM and SAM. Anatomy Next established a commercialisation strategy. The Phase 1 feasibility assessment has established that a development plan for the Anatomy Next service is technically and commercially viable, and that implementation of a commercialisation plan should be pursued. SME Instrument Phase 2 funding could provide the correct amount of funding and support to allow the stated activities to be implemented successfully.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

There is currently a growing need for healthcare professionals: the estimates forecast a shortage of 12.9 million healthcare and medical practitioners by 2035. At the same time, medical errors are proven to be the third-leading cause of death in Europe, with 210K-440K patients receiving harm due to poor or inefficient medical practices received during education. The EC are firm believers in education for Europe’s youth and are looking for new, ICT-based solutions that improve learning efficiency, along with solutions that provide standardisation of the educational content. AN’s solution will deliver learning and teaching experiences of human anatomy in a format that is suitable for different learning styles, by fostering increasingly effective learning for the next generation of physicians and healthcare workers. Due to this more accessible method of teaching/learning medicine and human anatomy, universities will produce more graduates; in addition, the model accuracy and the interactive life-like experience will improve the educational process and provide them with a greater and more in-depth knowledge base, thus reducing the risks of medical errors.

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