Earlier this week, an innovative augmented reality technology designed in Australia was unveiled at Westmead Children’s Hospital (CHW). It is designed to enable young people living with hemophilia to see the potentially irreversible impact of joint disease.
Hemophilia: An incurable blood disorder
Hemophilia, an incurable, hereditary rare blood disorder, is estimated to affect more than 3,000 Australians. The disease is diagnosed when there is not enough clotting factor VIII (8) or IX (9) in the blood to help control bleeding in the body. This bleeding most often occurs in the joints of the knees, elbows and ankles and can lead to joint disease if not adequately treated. Joint disease caused by haemophilia can start to develop as early as the age of 20, as haemophilia is an inherited condition diagnosed at birth.
What does an articulated scanner do?
The augmented reality joint scanner will help educate young patients and their families about the potential future impact of joint disease and the importance of maintaining a regular treatment program to help prevent bleeding episodes. It will be used by clinical staff in the Kids’ Factor Zone at Westmead Children’s Hospital.
The scanner uses a 3D jump camera connected to a computer to scan and map a person’s hand when it is placed under the device. Replicates normal aging and the impact of joint disease with specially designed software that overlays images on the user’s hands. While the scanner uses only the user’s hand as a reference point, it cleverly allows the user to extend the replicated view of the screen beyond the hand to see what is happening elsewhere in the body, focusing on specific joints known to be affected by hemophilia, including the shoulder. knee or ankle.
Augmented reality quickly provides valid healthcare solutions from diagnostics, treatment, care and education. Technologies, including augmented reality, are playing an increasingly important role in educating patients and achieving better health literacy.
“Technological advances such as Augmented Reality, which can be seen on this articulated scanner, enable healthcare professionals to bring to life important health education that directly engages their patients. We know that better health education can help patients make informed decisions about managing their health, ”said Murray White, developer of Joint Scanner at Crash Bang Wallop.
According to Tim Demos, who lives with hemophilia A, “The scanner provides a penetrating and surprising lens of what life can look like if it no longer pays attention to treating hemophilia.”
“I’ve always felt that I have a pretty good overview of my hemophilia treatment, but it’s still easy to overlook the impact of my condition over the next ten years. This scanner has helped me strengthen my understanding that what I am doing now will determine how I will live with my hemophilia for the rest of my life, ”said Tim.
About the Developer
Sanofi has developed an augmented reality articulated scanner. Sanofi is committed to making meaningful progress for Australians living with hemophilia and other rare blood diseases. The common scanner is lent to hospitals across Australia, including Westmead Children’s Hospital, as an educational resource for patients and their families.
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