Dizziness is the second most common leading symptom in medicine after headaches. As diagnosing it poses a challenge even for experienced clinicians, Zeisberg has developed a pair of glasses that enable an automatic comparison of head and pupil movements. To ensure clinicians can use the glasses quickly, iteratec developed a suitable AR application.
People affected by vertigo often wait months for a diagnosis. However, the unique combination of the so-called head impulse test for patients and an AR application for medical professionals enables a diagnosis to be made in three minutes.
The head impulse test is already well established in the diagnosis of vertigo, but is difficult to perform manually. For this reason, Zeisberg has developed a pair of glasses that enable an automatic comparison of head and pupil movements.
The addition of an AR application by iteratec enables medical professionals to carry out the head impulse test without any prior knowledge. They can provide immediate assistance. This easy-to-use and quick-to-deploy technology simplifies the testing process, as demonstrated following a presentation at the Charité in Berlin and at the BG Klinikum Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin.
Supporting medical staff with digital solutions, giving patients greater hope for a rapid diagnosis and digitising the healthcare system represent a crucial step towards a modern healthcare system.
Zeisberg devises innovative solutions for ear, nose and throat medicine and neurology with the aim of developing precise diagnoses and rapid treatment methods for patients. With its glasses designed to digitise the head impulse test, Zeisberg has achieved precisely that. However, error-free operation is essential here. This is where iteratec comes in.
Together, the teams from both companies addressed the key question: How can medical staff be supported when using Zeisberg’s glasses to minimise the number of faulty tests? During a workshop, the idea emerged that iteratec should explore the use of AR for this purpose.
The iteratec team developed an innovative AR solution based on the Microsoft HoloLens 2. In just four months, they produced a prototype that demonstrates the potential of AR in healthcare. The AR solution guides users step-by-step through the head impulse test. The view through the application shows exactly how the patient’s head must be moved and in what order these rotations must take place.
By visualising the target corridor in advance, before the test begins, the system enables the procedure to be carried out in a standardised and correct manner, in contrast to current products which only display the direction of the impulse after the fact. This ensures a standardised and correctly performed procedure and allows the cause of vertigo to be diagnosed independently of the staff carrying out the test. As the test can also be carried out by less experienced staff, this helps to counteract the shortage of skilled workers.
Another distinctive feature of the project: to achieve a rapid result, four young software developers from the student lab took on the task. They developed the AR solution, managed the process and liaised with Zeisberg. A senior architect supported the team throughout the entire process.
Collaborating with students is a valuable opportunity to set the course for an educational start to their careers. Testing new approaches and challenging traditional team structures in project work led to an innovative result within just a few months of working with Zeisberg.
Digitally assisted vertigo diagnostics demonstrate the many potential applications of AR in healthcare. The project is a milestone in helping both doctors and patients. When it comes to using technical innovations to facilitate diagnoses and alleviate suffering in the future, part of the answer lies in the potential applications of AR.
Zeisberg GmbH is a family-run business that has specialised in intelligent solutions for audiometry, neuro-otology and neurology for over 30 years. Its product portfolio includes devices such as the KA450 clinical audiometer, as well as the innovative Vertiguard for evidence-based vertigo diagnosis. Zeisberg GmbH’s expertise also extends to the digitalisation of these processes with products such as the audioApp for digital integration of findings.
