Advancing quality in medical AR VR systems with cutting edge XR technology

The use of Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR) in healthcare is opening up new possibilities, from VR-based medical training to AR-assisted surgeries.

The demand for these technologies has surged, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for virtual and no-contact treatment options. As a result, the extended reality (XR) market in healthcare has been expanding rapidly and is expected to continue growing at a 32% CAGR through 2027, reaching nearly $12 billion globally.¹

Image Credit: Radiant Vision Systems

The landscape of medical AR/VR

This ongoing industry growth stems from the broad spectrum of use cases that have arisen for XT technology for clinicians and patients alike (displayed in the table below). These applications make use of the distinct abilities of XR systems including three-dimensional data visualization, incorporating data from sensor and camera input, and making it possible for users to engage with virtual images.

Virtual reality enables an immersive experience with images that encompass a user’s complete field of vision. Augmented and mixed/merged reality depict images on a transparent surface (like smart glasses) while the background environment is still visible. Both of these visual modes have found their place in medicine.

Source: Radiant Vision Systems

A 2022 article by Radiant explored these applications in depth. For example, doctors use medical imaging data to create 3D visualizations of patient anatomy, helping them plan and perform surgeries more effectively. Medical students can study the human heart through interactive VR models, enhancing their understanding of complex structures. Additionally, the immersive nature of VR has been shown to help reduce pain for some patients and support rehabilitation and physical therapy.

For people who suffer from phobias, trauma, or similar mental-health problems, VR can aid people in their recovery process. “Therapists can use these devices to completely immerse their patients in a virtual world or augment their real one with digital tools and experiences that enhance their therapy. In addition, VR and AR devices create a safe space for social interactions in this immersive remote therapy experience.”²

In a 2019 article, Radiant Vision Systems examined how Medical XR could be used for various applications, including managing chronic pain, assisting in brain tumor surgeries, aiding stroke recovery, and even minimizing discomfort during blood draws.

Medical XR quality considerations

From the earliest days of AR/VR systems, intense research and testing have been needed to guarantee both safety and comfort for human users. As XR technologies have started to become popular across the medical industry, new considerations for quality emerged. Just like any medical device or system, it is important to make sure the product is both effective and safe when utilized as a treatment.

As such, organizations ranging from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and ISO have started to take notice.

The IEC has even published medical AR/VR system performance and testing standards (IEC 63145 publication series). Meanwhile, the FDA has built a Medical Extended Reality Program that demands clearance for XR systems. Until now, 39 AR/VR systems have been approved for FDA marketing. The ISO is also anticipated to release a new standard in the neat future.

Image Credit: Radiant Vision Systems

Quality testing AR/VR devices for medical use

When it comes to healthcare, the quality and performance of XR devices and software are critical. XR designers and manufacturers must ensure their systems meet high standards for safety and effectiveness. Radiant has partnered with many of the world’s leading XR companies to measure and assess system performance across key parameters like luminance, color (chromaticity), and uniformity.

To support this, the company has developed specialized optical equipment—including its AV/VR Lens and XRE Lens Solution—designed to test XR systems and components with the same precision as human users would experience them.

Radiant’s TrueTest^™ TT-ARVR Software automates a wide range of tests, from distortion and contrast to MTF and uniformity. The XRE Lens system also features an electronic lens that can instantly adjust to multiple or variable focal planes, significantly reducing measurement time.

In this webinar, Radiant will go through some of the testing problems you may encounter when using AR/VR, discuss the specifications and tests required for medical XR systems, and describe successful methods to guarantee quality.

To learn more about the quality considerations for Medical XR systems, and how Radiant solutions can help address testing needs, watch the full webinar now.

In it, Radiant covers:

• The growing landscape of medical AR/VR, key applications, trends, and considerations
• The optical quality problems that can impact the performance of hardware devices and the software products that run on them
• Performance and quality parameters like luminance, color, and contrast for AR/VR devices and applications.
• The latest instruments and methods being utilized to assess medical and healthcare AR/VR products and permitting display, device, and system makers to enhance quality and yields alike.

References and further reading

1. Global AR & VR in Healthcare Market Size, Share, Trends...Industry Forecast (2023 to 2028). Market Data Forecast. March 2023
2. Hamilton, J., “Seven therapeutic uses of VR and AR devices.” TechTalks, October 9, 2022.

About Radiant Vision Systems

World leaders in manufacturing rely on Radiant Vision Systems for test and measurement solutions that ensure quality, reduce costs, and improve efficiencies. Based in Redmond, WA, Radiant Vision Systems has proven production experience with thousands of cameras testing millions of devices worldwide. We approach each application with a wider range of solution options, a global base of experience, and a depth of understanding that enable us to keep raising the benchmarks for practical performance.

Radiant Vision Systems engineers advanced imaging systems to critically evaluate light, color, manufacturing integrity, and surface quality of illuminated displays and device assemblies. Radiant products include TrueTest^™ Automated Visual Inspection systems for measurement and control, ProMetric^® Imaging Colorimeters and Photometers, Source Imaging Goniometer^® systems, lenses for measuring AR/VR/MR/XR devices, intensity of near-infrared (NIR) emitters, and view angle performance of displays. We also offer the most extensive machine vision software tool library for production-level measurement and control. We back our systems with outstanding consultative technical support, ensuring that our clients enjoy and leverage all the value built into their systems.

In addition to its Redmond headquarters, Radiant Vision Systems has direct offices in Cupertino, CA and Novi, MI; Shanghai and Shenzhen in Mainland China; Taiwan; and Seongnam, South Korea, along with production facilities in Redmond; Suzhou, China; and Vietnam. The company is represented worldwide by a combination of direct and indirect distribution channels. Radiant has been a part of Konica Minolta’s Sensing Business Unit since August 2015.

Radiant Vision Systems enables you to truly See The Difference.

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