Revolutionizing Healthcare with Medical Augmented Reality Solutions – SKIA

Metaverse Hype and the Rise of AR in Healthcare – An Interview with SKIA CEO Lee Jong-myeong

In recent years, the world has been abuzz with the term “Metaverse” – a concept that blends the real and virtual worlds through cutting-edge technologies. At the core of this movement is Augmented Reality (AR), a technology that overlays 3D virtual images onto real-world backgrounds, creating a seamless, immersive experience. As AR technology has matured, it has found applications across diverse fields, including logistics, education, and defense.

Leading the charge in applying AR to the healthcare sector is SKIA, a company pioneering a new paradigm in medical technology. By developing AR solutions that can project 3D medical images directly onto a patient’s body, SKIA is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in medical imaging, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of medical procedures.

We recently sat down with Lee Jong-myeong, CEO of SKIA, to learn more about how the company is leveraging cutting-edge ICT technologies to shape the future of medical imaging.

Company Introduction

SKIA is a company specializing in the development of augmented reality (AR) solutions for medical applications. It transforms conventional 2D medical imaging data, such as CT and MRI scans, into 3D reconstructions that can be projected directly onto a patient’s body, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of medical procedures.

For example, in breast cancer surgery, the conventional approach involves marking the tumor’s location with ultrasound. If the tumor is deeply embedded or particularly small, a wire is often inserted to guide the surgeon. This method can be uncomfortable for patients, who must endure the inconvenience of having a wire in place for an entire day, and relies heavily on the experience and intuition of the medical team, introducing a degree of uncertainty.

In response, SKIA has developed an AR-based surgical navigation system that provides surgeons with precise, real-time visual guidance, reducing reliance on guesswork and improving patient comfort.

Core Business

SKIA’s flagship product is SKIA_Breast, an AR-based surgical guide solution. It reconstructs pre-captured medical imaging data into 3D models, which are then projected onto the patient’s body, providing surgeons with an intuitive, real-time view of critical anatomical structures, such as bones, organs, and lesions. This approach significantly enhances the precision and safety of surgical procedures by allowing surgeons to visually confirm the location and shape of target tissues.

One of the key advantages of SKIA_Breast is that it does not require traditional markers. Instead, it uses a proprietary technology that scans the patient’s skin to identify unique features, eliminating the need for cumbersome marker placement. This approach makes it particularly suitable for non-rigid tissues like breast tissue, where conventional marker systems are often impractical. Moreover, the system can be used with just a tablet equipped with a 3D sensor, without the need for additional cameras in the operating room, simplifying the surgical setup.

Future Goals

SKIA’s technology holds potential for broader applications beyond breast surgery. With continued research, it can be adapted for procedures such as facial reconstruction, spinal surgery, and kidney stone removal, where precise anatomical visualization is critical. The company is also exploring ways to integrate its AR solutions with other medical devices, enabling real-time tracking of instruments like biopsy needles, catheters, and surgical robots, providing surgeons with more comprehensive and accurate guidance during procedures.

SKIA aims to become a leader in this field, offering safer, more efficient, and highly adaptable medical imaging solutions that redefine the possibilities of modern surgery.

Source: Business News, Reporter Jeong Jae-gyeong, July 7, 2023

Original Link:  https://www.newseconomy.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=5419