Interventional radiologists at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) have a new sci-fi-looking tool in their arsenal to better assist with minimally invasive procedures.
Using funds from the Academic Realignment Initiative Awards the hospital was able to acquire Microsoft HoloLens. The mixed reality headset has see-through holographic lenses that allows users to consult crucial imaging through holograms while remaining aware of their physical surroundings and maintaining closer contact with patients. Traditionally, radiologists performing procedures such as stent placements to open blocked blood vessels, had to rely on a stationary 60–inch monitor, which can be restrictive to the care team.
"As advancements in angiography introduce more images and data for physicians to make informed decisions, large display monitors occupy a considerable amount of tableside space, which puts a wall between the health care workers and the patients,” said Jonathan Collier, an interventional radiology technologist at LHSC. “Mixed reality technology enables health care teams to continue to focus on the patient while maintaining access to the most advanced images.”
Collier collaborated with Dr. David Hocking, a diagnostic and interventional radiologist at LHSC, to pioneer the use of the HoloLens in the department. The technology is paired with software developed by a team led by Collier and Hocking.
The hope is that this new technology will improve patient safety, by allowing doctors to keep imaging data and patients in the same field of view. This eliminates past need to turn away from the patient to view the monitor, which studies have shown can reduce accuracy.
"This technology has the potential to change the future of interventional radiology," said Collier. “Through support of LHSC’s Academic Realignment Initiative Awards, we are testing leading-edge innovation that can improve the delivery of care for our community and is already attracting interest from other healthcare organizations.”
Since 2022, the Academic Realignment Initiative Awards have provided more than $1 million in funding from the London Health Sciences Foundation and Children’s Health Foundation for research projects at LHSC.
