Assessing the Feasibility of using Augmented Reality to Visualize Interventional Radiology Imagery

Image-guided procedures, such as those in radiology, are frequently reliant on data which is visualized on traditional monitors. In an operating theatre, these monitors are often placed at poor ergonomic positions, causing physicians to rotate their heads to the side while their hands are working before them. This study seeks to investigate whether visualizing data on an augmented reality headset that projects an image in front of the participant will reduce task-time and increase efficiency. The primary purpose behind this study is to alleviate neck and back pain in physicians performing data/image guided procedures. A number of augmented reality headsets were tested in a clinical setting and a number of experiments were undertaken to test the viability of this technology in an operating theatre. The experiment consisted of comparing the use of an augmented reality headset against a computer monitor while performing tasks that required similar hand eye co-ordination to that needed during a surgery. The research hypothesized that the use of an augmented reality headset would increase accuracy and efficiency; while decreasing eye fatigue and neck/back pain.