Realize Medical Inc. is a medical technology company based in Ottawa. Originally started as part of the University of Ottawa, the company branched off on its own. Since its inception, the company has been focused on harnessing virtual reality (VR) to change medicine, particularly in clinician education and training. Realize Medical is responsible for creating Elucis, a platform for creating three-dimensional (3D) models that are based entirely in virtual reality. The advantage of 3D visualization in virtual space is that it allows physicians to potentially view medical images in real time, but in 3D form. This type of innovation can be game-changing. Just as film was slowly replaced in photography, VR experiences can potentially change the way medical data is visualized and processed. If Elucis becomes widely used, then hospitals would not need to invest as much into expensive medical imaging analysis equipment, and can also allow physicians to analyze images more quickly, more effectively, and in different ways.
Specific Applications of Elucis
Firstly, Elucis can be applied directly to medical procedures. Using 3D models in virtual reality can allow physicians to pinpoint diseases more effectively. For example, a brain surgeon could see exactly where a brain tumor is, in 3D, to plan a surgery, or a cardiologist can more precisely find the location of a blood clot to remove. Beyond direct clinical applications, Elucis can also be used in physician training and education. Instead of learning anatomy and molecular science out of a textbook or a monitor in 2D, Elucis can allow physicians-in-training to visualize in 3D, allowing for more immersive and quick learning. Since its inception, Realize Medical’s purpose has been to change clinician education, and Elucis thus has among its DNA an educational component.
Additionally, the system can potentially help with patient-specific planning and guide decision-making. If a patient has a tumor that needs to be removed, showing him or her the location of that tumor in 3D and showing options for surgery in 3D can give the patient a more informed understanding of the options and risks. 3D scanning and 3D printing have been used in medicine for years now, and 3D visualization is the natural next step to enhancing patient planning for treatment.
A Change to Healthcare in the Future
Currently, Canadian hospitals are still not equipped to work with VR. Realize Medical’s products, moreover, are still in the pre-trial phase, with hopes of getting the necessary regulatory approval to sell to clinics by the middle of 2021. However, Realize Medical has recently started making inroads to spread functionality and expand capability for hospitals to use Elucis. In July 2020, the company partnered with Logitech, a large technology hardware manufacturing company, to integrate Logitech’s VR Ink Pilot Edition into the Elucis platform. This functionality, according to Realize Medical, would allow integration with hand-held styluses, giving physicians an easy method of imputing data and observations into the platform. Logitech’s stylus functionality is compatible with existing VR hardware, such as the HTC Vive, which makes integration with existing VR technology seamless and easy. Partnering with companies like Logitech, which already have large footprints in hospitals and beyond, could allow Realize Medical’s innovation to spread across Canada and beyond. Healthcare innovation is all about improving efficiency and accuracy in bringing medical services to people. Innovative changes and pushes like those championed by Realize Medical can potentially change the landscape of how healthcare professionals diagnose and approach procedures for years to come.
