AVRO - Augmented Virtual Reality Oculi

3D Technology in the Anatomy field

Augmented Virtual Reality Oculi (AVRO) are enhanced and mixed reality (AR/XR) high-resolution glasses that display medical images compiled with IFIS (Interactive Fusion Images System). A system that allows for the integration of images from various sources such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography.

"AVRO sets a new standard in medical imaging diagnostics, allowing participants to immerse themselves and view the anatomical structure from outside and inside the body" - said prof. Jerzy Gielecki, the author.

AVRO is a real-time system with haptic depth recognition cues that improve the perception of human organs in augmented reality visualisation. AVRO allows anyone to freely navigate and explore anatomical structures. It offers to explore real dissections of human organs and observe the topographical organisation of the body in a fully immersive 3D augmented environment.

On August 9-11, 2019, the 19th Congress of the International Federation of Anatomical Associations was held at the Excel Trade Center in London. Conferences of this type are organized every two years in various places around the world, and their purpose is to facilitate cooperation between anatomical associations by encouraging the exchange of scientific, technological, educational and administrative between anatomists around the world. IFAA provides a platform for scientific debate, teaching development and biomedical research in anatomical disciplines, and a place of discussion on the development of basic curricula, educational and biomedical research, ethics, equality and diversity in anatomical science and other relevant issues.

Participation in the conference aimed to present to the anatomical environment the solution resulting from research work carried out at UWM called AVRO, as well as to gather market information on the presented product, in particular, to establish contacts with potential buyers of the solution.

AVRO is about presenting virtual models of various anatomical objects in augmented reality. They are created by taking thousands of photos of real objects. Then the photogrammetry technique creates a virtual, faithfully reproduced model covered with a very high-resolution texture. Virtual models are visible in real space after putting on special glasses for augmented reality. It is possible to freely manipulate viewed objects; rotate, zoom in, zoom out, capture and move.

The transfer of real anatomical resources to virtual reality allows the presentation of individual anatomical preparations without the need to incur a high cost of their purchase, storage and maintenance. AVRO, thanks to the possibility of free rotation and enlargement, allows looking at individual anatomical objects even more accurately than in the case of real objects.

The stand was equipped with the basic version of the product. All images were displayed in 3D glasses. The courtesy of the local AV London company rented us two TV screens to present what is visible in glasses to people near the stand. According to the project manager's vision, the final version of the product will consist of an aluminium cage equipped with 4 sets of glasses. After putting on the glasses, 4 people will see the virtual dissecting table with virtual anatomical objects placed on it. The solution will allow users to interact with each other.

Participation in the conference allowed for better identification of market needs and an indication of both the potential and the specification of the project development path. Comments and suggestions came from specialists in anatomy as a science, from healthcare professionals, including surgeons, as well as from entities already operating on the market that base their activities in a virtual reality environment and are not directly related to new technologies in medicine.

Product interest is very high. The market potential of the solution is therefore considerable, but most interested seemed to be losing interest when they learned that the product is not yet priced or available on the market. It should be emphasized that a significant proportion of customers asked for a simple version using one pair of glasses and the possibility of connecting a projector or other vision receiver. The design and distribution of such a solution could enable initial financing of the project from its own resources, without the need for external investment and the related sale of shares in the emerging company. Distribution of the cheaper version could enable, based on positive experience, the purchase of more AVRO sets by universities for practical classes for students. The product is intended for educational medical units, mainly Medical Universities and Medical Faculties of Universities, as a tool used to study anatomy.

We hope for further development of the solution. We believe that AVRO will be a popular alternative to traditional anatomical positions at medical universities around the world.