7 Best Healthcare Augmented Reality Apps in November 2024

Augmented Reality in Healthcare

Medical and diagnostic procedures are becoming more efficient due to the opportunities created by AR technologies. Physicians integrate data visualization not only in the treatment processes but for surgical training. Clinical instruments and new medicine’s interaction with the body can be demonstrated and studied with the help of AR experiences. Numerous life science companies are switching to Augmented Reality tools to create more engaging and efficient communication among medical professionals (HCPs).

Healthcare professionals apply Augmented Reality for the two main functions. First, for the diagnostics and treatment purposes, second, for training and education of the healthcare professionals. With the help of smart glasses and other AR devices, the observation of the vitals and access to other important information during the surgery becomes available. Such experiences minimize the risks of the surgeries and raise the quality of care to a great extent.

Augmented Reality technology in healthcare might be somewhat challenging to implement, so considering all advantages and disadvantages and understanding how exactly the healthcare AR solution will improve the service are highly important. We will share some of the examples of AR healthcare technology:

• Surgery. Significant up-to-date information about the patient becomes visible for the surgeons with the AR, which in many cases is just life-saving. Patients’ anatomy, MRI data and CT scans become available with an Augmented Reality headset. This type of information helps to be better prepared for the surgery and creates the opportunity of visualization of the internal organs, muscles, bones, which normally can be achieved only by cutting open a body. Organ location, vein meshes and diagnosis reports are provided by AR technology to the physicians when working with the patients. AR allows performing more precise, safe and time-saving surgeries with low mortality rates. All the necessary information for saving a patient’s life is now at the surgeon’s disposal.
• Educational programs and training. Studying to become a medical professional is quite challenging because of the large volumes of information. With Augmented Reality technology, data processing becomes more efficient. But more important practical training becomes possible at the early stages of the educational programs without the danger to a patient. Now, conducting a virtual surgery with AR technology helps to grow professionals not only with a strong theoretical but also practical skills foundation.
• Remote surgeries. For the surgeries, which need to be supervised by the more experienced or niche specialists, Augmented Reality technology provides the necessary tools to participate in the surgery from a different location and provide the instruction. Now, with the limitations of travel, getting the assistance of the right expert could be life-saving. Even more simple occasions like medical conferences or meetings have become more effective with the AR headsets, as the specialists from different locations can study and analyze various cases in real-time. An unlimited number of scenarios can be researched and worked through Augmented Reality technologies by the medical student, prepare them for different situations during real surgeries and help avoid risk. Data from sensors also helps doctors in the risk assessment.
• Mental health issues. Any health issue goes together with additional stress and concern adding greater load to the nervous system. Augmented Reality tools help patients be more aware of the processes of the body, decrease anxiety and avoid complications from treatment. New approaches on working with psychological issues and phobias appear in AR. Simulators can help recreate a threatening environment and overcome fear without real danger. Working with aerophobia is one of the examples where the plane stimulator or looking down from the height prepares for real situations.
• Complex diagnosis. Visualization of the information from various sensors and analyzing the data in connection to all of the patient’s health issues and peculiarities allow doctors to make well-thought decisions without a chance of neglecting something important.
• Risk evaluation. Predicting subtle health risks is possible due to obtaining detailed diagnoses with Augmented Reality tools. With traditional approaches, many of such risks could be unnoticed and result in serious issues.
• Remote medical services. Remote consultations are useful not only because of the time-saving factor but appear significant for complicated cases when the patients cannot be transported or have physical disabilities. Such details as diagnostics, post surgery home help, checking pulse as well as observing a patient's emotions become easier with AR technologies.
• Emergency navigation. AR applications helping the nurses find an available room with suitable equipment in a timely manner should not be underestimated. The life of a patient often depends on the seconds, fast decisions and actions, which AR apps for urgent hospitals navigation can accomplish.

Key studies

In 2018, Global Augmented Reality in Healthcare Market reached $321.1 million and was estimated to gain revenue of $1,565.1 million before 2026, at a CAGR of 21.9%. For the indicated period North American region will prevail in the global market due to the increasing demand for consumer devices. As of 2018, North America's healthcare AR industry value was $141.3 Million and is predicted to grow rapidly to $664.9 Million by 2026.

Displays for AR in the healthcare market estimate will be $334.5 million by 2026, rising from $61.0 million in 2018. The constituent market is generally divided into Displays, Sensors, Input Devices and Semiconductor Components. Displays for Augmented Reality in the healthcare market are expected to demonstrate a significant share over the indicated period. Increasing demand for integrated devices such as head-mounted HD displays has created favorable conditions for this trend.

Augmented Reality technologies based on mobile devices gained a revenue of $80.3 million in the Healthcare Market in 2018 and are expected to grow up to $409.7 million by the end of 2026. Based on application, the world's AR Healthcare Market is categorized into Wearable, Vision-Based, Spatial and Mobile Device-Based. Tablets and smartphones have a prominent role in the AR market due to compass and global positioning systems used in mobile phones for navigation and routing.

The healthcare facilities area is estimated to obtain the major share during the indicated period. This market has a size of $61.0 million in 2018 and will reach $315.5 million throughout the projected period with North America becoming the key player. Such changes have become possible because of the high level of technology adoption. The tension and anxiety of healthcare professionals (HCPs) are gradually minimized as they get familiar with the tools and not threatened by the complexity but see the potential in it.

Augmented Reality healthcare projects and examples

Catchar gives access to numerous top healthcare AR apps and solutions. Available in different categories, the medical AR projects can be sorted by type, rating, date and frameworks. Get access to more information about various healthcare projects using their profiles. You will be able to find the detailed screenshots and reviews by the Catchar team. Check how to use the platform and start with a free trial. Remember to rate the projects and leave your feedback. Catchar provides a series of curated digests on AR/MR healthcare projects.

How to develop AR healthcare apps and projects?

Before you start, you have to think about the type of AR experience that your project or app should support. There are two main types of AR AR experience available: marker-based and marker-less.

Marker-based AR is always tied to a physical image or object in the real world when Markerless is mapping to the physical space (ground or walls) around the device in the real world. The human body could be a marker for AR experience as well.

Right after you define the type of AR experience you need, it's time to think about the hardware where your application will run. In terms of healthcare, there are a few leaders of the market available. In the Mixed Reality category:

• Microsoft HoloLens
• Magic Leap

Mobile-based AR devices for healthcare:

• iPad/iPhone Pro with a LiDAR scanner
• Android

If you don't want to waste thousands of hours building your custom Augmented Reality frameworks, you can check some 3rd party solutions. Please note that additional fees and licenses could be applied. Below we highlighted the most popular:

• ARKit
• ARCore
• Vuforia/PTC
• Wikitude
• Unity AR foundation

The frameworks listed above can help you to build and deploy your projects faster. However, if you don't want to spend your time checking and learning all this information, Catchar is here to help.

How to promote healthcare AR products?

Apart from traditional tools, such as social media networks and paid ads, developers use Catchar to showcase and promote their medical AR projects. Catchar is investing in the promotion and distribution of AR healthcare products across various connections available in social media networks, newsletters, and chats. Promote and scale your AR healthcare projects globally and for the top companies.

Tools to develop AR healthcare apps and projects

On Catchar, you can find a variety of tools and SDKs to create AR experiences for both technical and non-technical users. Tools presented on Catchar support such frameworks and libraries as WebGL, Three.js, Babylon.js, ARKit, ARCore, Unity, WebAR, etc. Creators are able to develop rich and immersive AR projects for the healthcare industry.

Sign up today on Catchar to start using the newest AR tools or hire professional developers to use your time and costs efficiently.

How to hire professional AR developers?

Numerous sources to hire Augmented Reality developers are available online. The main difference of Catcher is its focus on highly professional ones. Select and hire top-level AR developers, artists and designers for complex healthcare projects. Indicate your requirements or get in touch with our mentors and team leaders to help you find the professional AR developers necessary for the AR project in medicine.