The “augmented reality” enters the operating room at the Cannizzaro in Catania

CATANIA – “Augmented reality” has entered the operating rooms of the Cannizzaro hospital in Catania. The complex Neurosurgery Operating Unit, in fact, was chosen as a “beta tester” of an innovative device developed by the German startup ApoQlar, being able to experiment, at the moment for research, because it is still under development, a technology that allows to simultaneously visualize virtual elements (holograms) and real elements (patient, objects, surgical instruments). With the device, the surgeon can see the subject on the operating table and the images of his MRI, CT, Pet examinations at the same time. It can record audio and video and perform operations with voice commands or with the simple holographic touch of the fingers, without the need for joysticks or controllers to engage the operator. “It is a revolutionary technology – explains Dr. Giuseppe Umana, neurosurgeon of Cannizzaro and member of the advisory board of ApoQlar, referent of the project to which his colleague Dr. Angelo Spitaleri collaborated – which allows an immersive experience in anatomy and pathology of the patient. Thanks to this characteristic, the surgeon can have a direct perception of the spatial characteristics of the disease and gains greater confidence with the patient’s anatomy, allowing safer planning of the surgical intervention “.

The experience also favors the conversation with family members. “Thanks to the possibility of video-audio recording the interview with the patient and family – explains Dr. Salvatore Cicero, director of Neurosurgery – it is possible to archive the information received by the patient for medical-legal purposes. Another field of application is telemedicine, in thanks to the possibility of remote information exchange even more effective and realistic. “” Thanks to the skills acquired by neurosurgeons, the Cannizzaro hospital company – observes DG Salvatore Giuffrida – is at the forefront of technological innovation and surgical procedures, contributing to define a new standard that increases the safety in the operating room and the precision ability of the operators ».