Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) are emerging throughout medicine to improve education and surgical procedures. These technologies have been adapted into every stage of medicine, including anatomical teaching tools, study aids, image training simulators, clinical skills simulators, and performing robotic surgery. However, while many AR/VR platforms are entering the commercial market, they have limited accuracy for certain procedures and lack haptic feedback to the user. Hence, new devices are needed to improve the precision and accuracy of training and surgical platforms.

This invention describes a device for improving AR/VR for training and surgery. It comprises a wearable device that connects to mixed, VR, and AR headsets for continuous real-time tracking of limb position. In addition, it provides the user with haptic feedback based on the positioning of the VR/AR platform.

Competitive Advantages

•       Uses live data from sensors and machine learning to provide haptic feedback to the user.

•       Improves training for medical professionals and provides superior treatment outcomes in VR/AR-guided surgery.

•       Potential to apply to other industries that utilize VR/AR.

Opportunity

•       The market for VR/AR in healthcare was $307 million in 2017 and is expected to reach $5 billion by 2023 at a CAGR of 57%. 

•       The enormous growth in the market is due to the advantages of AR and VR for improving medical training, along with superior treatment outcomes in robotic surgery.

Rowan University is seeking a partner(s) for further development and potential commercialization of this technology. The inventor is available to collaborate with interested companies.