vr medicine Archives

FundamentalVR is partnering with Haply Robotics to provide more realistic VR surgical simulations.

In the past, we’ve seen how immersive technologies such as VR and augmented reality (AR) can benefit the medical industry, from AR-assisted surgeries to VR sedation.

Then there’s Fundamental Surgery, an immersive training platform from FundamentalVR that uses VR technology and haptics to provide everyone from medical students to professional surgeons with realistic simulations of various real-life procedures. The platform includes a number of other educational features, like multiuser classrooms with instructor-lead lessons.

We had a chance to try the platform out for ourselves and were thoroughly impressed by the technology presented.

Image Credit: FundamentalVR

Now the company is partnering with the award-winning haptics & robotics company Haply Robotics to provide more realistic simulations using Haply’s portable haptic technology, including its flagship Inverse3 device. According to FundamentalVR, the platform provides effective surgical training cheaply and remotely by mimicking physical touch. This partnership will only improve the platform further by introducing more advanced haptic technology.

“We are always looking for innovative ways to expand and improve our SaaS platform Fundamental Surgery,” said Richard Vincent, co-founder and CEO of FundamentalVR in an official release.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Haply Robotics – a leader in kinesthetic grounded haptics – and continue to support our medical device and pharmaceutical partners’ educational programs to allow better product adoption by advancing our strategy for a hardware agnostic open platform and its skills transfer capabilities,” he added.

“We’re excited to support FundamentalVR’s rapidly growing business strategy by providing an integral component of a complete high-fidelity simulation solution,” added Colin Gallacher, President and Co-Founder of Haply Robotics. “Haply’s haptic devices will enhance FundamentalVR’s developed virtual environment and medical training scenarios through force feedback and sense of touch.”

For more information about FundamentalVR and Haply Robotics visit here.

Feature Image Credit: FundamentalVR

The program will run on the HTC VIVE Focus 3 VR headset.

VR medical simulation platform SimX today announced that its Virtual Advancement of Learning for Operational Readiness (VALOR) program has been selected by the United States Space Force to design an immersive training program for astronaut recovery and space launch missions.

The US government agency will commit an initial $1.7 million USD towards the integration of various space components and medical scenarios based on the Pre-Hospital Space Medicine Care Course (PHSMCC) into the SimX Virtual Reality Medical Simulation System (VRMSS). This includes ocean personnel recovery missions, such as the one depicted in the image below.

Credit: U.S. Airforce, Airman 1st Class Dwane Young, Nellis AFB

“The mission of the VALOR program is to adapt VR medical simulation training to enable high-quality, repeatable, and accessible clinical training for any scenario,” said Karthik V Sarma, PhD, VALOR Principal Investigator and SimX CTO in an official release. “We’re honored to have the opportunity to take the VRMSS to the next frontier by helping the DOD’s elite medical personnel protect the health of our astronauts and space launch personnel.”

The virtual training program is being developed in collaboration with and tested alongside the USAF 24th Special Operations Wing and 1st Air Force, Detachment 3, Human Space Flight Support Operations, and will run on the HTC VIVE Focus 3 wireless VR headset. According to SimX, the program will enable more frequent and effective training for Combat Rescue Officers, flight surgeons, and Pararescuemen.

“The mission impact of this project will be increased overall medical capability for global rescue forces responding to Human Space Flight contingency landings,” added Brent Maney of the Department of Defense Human Space Fight Support Office. “These capabilities are critical for ensuring the highest standard of care is provided by our PJs as they prepare for the continued expansion of Human Space Flight operations.”

Moving forward, the company will continue to expand the program with additional scenarios to accommodate the growing commercial space flight sector.

Feature Image Credit: SimX

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