Project description
Seeing medicine through a new AR lense
Augmented reality (AR) technology offers great possibilities for advanced tools to be used in medicine to improve diagnostics and efficiency in surgical planning and tasks, heralding a new level of modern healthcare. However, the highly anticipated VR/AR 3D display glasses are not yet not suitable for close work, due to the focal rivalry of the stereoscopic 3D image and the real world, which results in eye strain and pains. To solve this problem, the EU-funded NGEAR 3D project supports the development of the state-of-the-art multifocal-accommodating AR headset that eliminates all adverse effects of existing headsets and outputs holographic-look 3D images. It will also enable education, pre-procedural planning, intra-procedural visualisation and patient rehabilitation. NGEAR 3D will improve the work of surgeons and reduce the risk of complications during operations.
Objective
Augmented reality (AR) is set to revolutionize the healthcare sector, especially for medical imaging technology for application in surgeries, radiologic diagnostics and medical practice. However, at the very state-of-the-art, the challenge is to derive a practical near-eye display for AR glasses. The current AR devices cause eye strain, fatigue and sickness due to the ‘vergence–accommodation (VA) conflict’ and are not suited for near-work (crucial for healthcare application) due to focal rivalry of stereoscopic 3D image and the real world. These adverse effects have constrained more rapid expansion of VR/AR 3D display market in spite of huge demand.
NGEAR is a state-of-the-art multi-focal accommodating AR headset that eliminates all adverse effects of existing headsets and outputs holographic look 3D images. It completely solves current pains of near-work application with VA conflict for true application of AR in the healthcare sector. The NGEAR3D is compact, lightweight and wearable around the head and fits comfortably to both eyes (binocular vision). It is ideal for healthcare professionals who require 3D glasses for near eye imaging and can be safely used for long hours without discomfort to eyes and mind. The core technology of NGEAR3D is the proprietary liquid-crystal optical switcher elements, that can be electronically switched between transparent and optically diffusive state in <500 microseconds. Several optical diffuser elements are stacked to form a discrete volume - volumetric 3D display. This static volumetric technology provides real 3D volumetric holographic imagery, thus matching it perfectly to the real world. When applied for healthcare applications, it improves efficiency of surgeon & reduces time required, risks and medical complications of operations leading to more patients receiving treatment sooner. NGEAR3D will be a disrupting link for the image guided surgery to really take-off and benefit patients and medical patient & medical personnel.
Fields of science
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinesurgery
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinephysiotherapy
- engineering and technologymaterials engineering
- engineering and technologymedical engineeringdiagnostic imaging
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationssimulation software
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-2b - SME Instrument (grant only and blended finance)Coordinator
LV 2167 MARUPE
Latvia
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.