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An overview of augmented and virtual reality applications in radiotherapy and future developments enabled by modern tablet devices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2013

F. Cosentino ,
N. W. John  and
J. Vaarkamp
F. Cosentino*
Affiliation:
Medical Physics Department, North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Bodelwyddan, UK
N. W. John
Affiliation:
School of Computer Science, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
J. Vaarkamp
Affiliation:
Medical Physics Department, North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Bodelwyddan, UK
*
Correspondence to: F Cosentino, North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, Medical Physics Department, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan LL18 5UJ, UK. Tel: ++ 44 (0)1745 445113. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Purpose

We review augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications in radiotherapy as found in the scientific literature and highlight future developments enabled by the use of small mass-produced devices and portability of techniques developed in other fields to radiotherapy.

Analysis

The application of AR and VR within radiotherapy is still in its infancy, with the notable exception of training and teaching applications. The relatively high cost of equipment needed to generate a realistic 3D effect seems one factor that has slowed down its use, but also the sheer amount of image data is relatively recent, were radiotherapy professionals are only beginning to explore how to use this to its full potential. This increased availability of 3D data in radiotherapy will drive the application of AR and VR in radiotherapy to efficiently recognise and extract key features in the data to act on in clinical decision making.

Conclusion

The development of small mass-produced tablet devices coming on the market will allow the user to interact with computer-generated information more easily, facilitating the application of AR and VR. The increased connectivity enabling virtual presence of remote multidisciplinary team meetings heralds significant changes to how radiotherapy professionals will work, to the benefit of our patients.

Keywords

augmented realityIGRTimage guided radiotherapyimagingnew techniquesvirtual realityvisualisation
Type
Literature Reviews
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , September 2014 , pp. 350 - 364
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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