Let  me just simplify what Metaverse is.



 Well, one expert says that - the metaverse  is a digital universe where users can   "live" and interact with each other, much  like the novel snow crash i told you about. But the real metaverse goes beyond that.

 Metaverse has various elements that include  – block chain technology, augmented reality,  virtual reality and game theory. Metaverse allows for trustlesstransactions and undebatable ownership of assets, although its all online and virtual.

Well, i just used some big terms, which may confuse you.  And the true tech and the expertise behind metaverse is far from this video’s prospect. So, keeping that in mind, i will tell  you some aspects of the metaverse which  will affect your health and the way we  see the future of the health industry.

 

So, let’s begin.

Before covid began, ever since the beginning  of medical science, health care meant physical interaction between the patients and the doctors. So, to get diagnosed, to get operated or get treated, the whole process was hands on. This changed slightly post covid.More people chose tele consultations and home-based health care over potentially contracting covid at dedicated health institutions.

 

Metaverse seeks to potentially revolutionize this forever. Let’s take a few examples. Meta or previously known as facebook group acquired oculus VR technology in 2014. In 2012-14 the oculus virtual 

Reality headset was a thing of awe. Tech enthusiast worldwide was impressed by its immersive experience of the virtual world and its endless possibilities. Well, since its acquisition by the meta group,   oculus has grown beyond its enthusiast  demography into the health care industry.

One of its most notable collaboration 

Was with the who academy. During the ongoing covid 19 pandemic, a mobile  app was developed which helped health care workers develop skills for more efficient management of covid 19 patients using virtual reality.

 VR allowed for simulation of potential situations – such as how  to wear a ppe kit and how to discard a ppe kit. The app was available in multiple languages. The technology offered by oculus is  revolutionizing the way surgeons operate.

At university of connecticut, the orthopedic surgical residents are taught  various procedures using the VR headsets.This allows the surgical students to perfect their skills while using the advantage if 3d environment. Additionally, they had an access to plethora  of surgical scenarios at their disposal, and they were ready for any orthopedic emergency.

Microsoft  

Microsoft another mega company who   is actively investing into the expansion  of metaverse health care is microsoft.

Since their emergence, microsoft  is well known for their software   expertise and their universal presence. And they are still excelling in that sector. They introduced mesh. Now mesh is a cloud based online platform. It allows people in different physical  locations to join the digital metaverse.This is via its ability to integrate  3d d experiences on various devices.This means it can be used though mobile phones, laptops,   head sets and VR capable machines together. Take for example a group pf  Medical students worldwide. Having joined the same virtual space. They can go through 3D model of The human body and study it layer  by layer on specially designed modules. One way this is possible is by their product  

Hololens. Which is also a VR based product  and allows for immersive 3D experience. This product also has some  real-life applications.


 Stryker

A company stryker, which specializes  in designing and construction of  operating rooms uses a hololens based device.

This allows them to standardize their designs. Also, they can tackle any physical issues  by visualizing potential complications  and making necessary adjustments in real time. Another indiana-based medical device company,  Zimmer biomet is also using the hololens. It uses this tech to build surgical instruments, Collect patient data and share the experience with other medical professionals to increase patient safety. Increasing use of ar and VR tech at john hopkins institute, the department  of neurosurgery has incorporated VR tech into their patient care and teaching program. Using ar headsets made by an israeli company   called augmedics they are using ar to understand the intricacies of the body.

 

The headset has an eye display that projects images of a patient’s internal anatomy,  such as bones and other tissue, 

While the person operates. Using this they performed the first ar surgeries ever.They used ct and mri scans to build 3D 

Models of the patient’s brain and spine. Before the required surgeries, they navigate through the various complications they might  face on their way and plan a precise route.They successfully removed a cancerous tumor  from a patient’s spine using ar at university of miami, they have a  special gordon center for simulation and innovation in medical education. They are specializing in using AR & VR techniques. Recently they have started emergency scenario  


Management courses to train health care workers. This is to help them respond better to situations  which require immediate care such as stroke, heart attack and irregular heartbeat.


Dr. Barry Issenberg,

Dr. Barry issenberg, the director of gordon centre says that the virtual world relieves us  of physical boundaries. It guarantees all the learners have an equal opportunity to learn  despite their distance by letting everyone be virtually present at an emergency scene. Bravemind, is one other way VR is helping patients worldwide. PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder affects millions of people. It occurs  after a person undergoes a highly traumatic event and is unable to deal with it mentally. Bravemind is one of the new innovations  used by health care professionals   to help ex-military ptsd patients. It allows the patient to experience   the traumatic experience of the  battlefield in a safe environment  

And eventually let go of what happened. This technique is available in various   veterans administration hospitals,where it  has been shown to produce meaningful results.

 If you would like to know more about 

PTSD – stay tunes, we are going to   now i’m not saying that the future   of healthcare is metaverse oriented. We never for once thought that we could   teach robots to operate on humans, but that became a reality in the past decade itself.

We never thought that we could see inside the 

Brain, but we now can do so by using 3 d models. Such examples are endless. But the future holds great   prospect. Revolution is expected. So, if you liked this article please  – share