Augmented Reality for STEM - Enhancing Neurological Training using Augmented Reality
Abstract
Surgeons at St. Olavs have developed a new neurological procedure for treating patients suffering from cluster headaches named SphenoBlock. This procedure is due to undergo large scale clinical studies which, if successful, would mean surgeons around the world will need to be taught this new procedure. In recent years both VR and AR technologies have evolved and become more affordable then in the past, sparking new interest in research relating to these topics.
Through this thesis, a prototype AR application has been created for Microsoft's Hololens, with the aim of enhancing training for the SphenoBlock. This application features tracking technology provided by Vuforia, which enables it to track a new type of surgical instrument called the MultiGuide. This application has been tested a surgeon and a neurologist to gather their expert opinions, to gauge whether or not the application provided any benefits to the training experience. Also, this application also been tested on medical students at NTNU St. Olavs, to gather information on the usefulness of AR when learning complex anatomical advanced relating to the shape of the human skull.
At the end of the thesis, results from Interviews with the experts and the students are presented, as well as suggestions for future training and learning applications, in the field of medicine.