A virtual reality colonoscopy developed by University of Sheffield researchers could help clinicians to detect abnormalities in the digestive system.
David Randall from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease (IICD) has enabled clinicians to travel inside a patient’s colon, viewing its mucosal surface with an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. This allows them to explore the colon in real 3D rather than via the 2D representation offered by conventional PC monitors.
David Randall recently showcased the virtual reality colonoscopy as part of the BBC Radio 4 Today programme which was broadcast live from the AMRC.
“CT colonoscopy, viewed on a 2D monitor, is a procedure performed routinely within the NHS where the structure of the colon is extracted from a CT image and its lumen is ‘flown through’,” said David.
“While the radiologist transits the colon they look for pathological structures, for example polyps (pre-cancerous lumps). Reporting involves examination of both the CT data and colonoscopy fly-through to reach diagnosis. CT colonoscopy examinations are labour intensive, typically taking 20 minutes for experienced radiologists and significantly longer for less experienced clinicians."
"We hope that by performing this examination with virtual reality technology offers potential improvements in efficiency and lesion detectability for CT colonoscopy examinations.”
The work was developed through a collaboration between the Medical Physics Group in IICD and the 3D Imaging Laboratory in the Medical Imaging and Medical Physics Directorate of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. This work was supported by the Think Ahead SURE programme and funded by Bardhan Research and Education Trust of Rotherham and the EPSRC.