1.Introduction

The rapid evolution of Augmented Reality (AR) technology has unfolded a myriad of applications in various fields, notably in medicine. As a groundbreaking interface, AR facilitates an enriched interaction between digital information and the real world, promising a substantial impact on medical practice, training, and patient care.

Recent studies have delved into the expansive applications and the ensuing benefits of AR in medicine. For instance, Yang et al. explores the current research status and future prospects of AR in the medical field, signifying a promising trajectory for AR applications in enhancing medical practice and education [1]. Additionally, the potential of AR in medical training is well articulated in the paper [2], where a well-constructed AR application is posited to enhance the engagement and comprehension of trainees by providing an unpredictable learning environment.

Moreover, the review [3] illuminates a variety of smart applications of AR in healthcare, including wearable access, telemedicine, remote surgery, diagnosis of medical reports, and emergency medicine. The overarching aim of these developed AR healthcare applications is to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and reduce costs, thus indicating a significant stride towards modernized healthcare delivery [3]. A study [4] embarked on a systematic investigation of the problems, challenges, and benefits of AR in various fields, including medicine. The study underscores the transformative potential of AR in addressing current medical challenges and propelling healthcare delivery into a new era of efficiency and patient satisfaction [4]. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also recognized the burgeoning applications of AR and Virtual Reality (VR) in medical devices. Their recent update sheds light on the critical considerations for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals when interacting with AR and VR medical devices, emphasizing the regulatory landscape surrounding these cutting-edge technologies [5].

This paper seeks to provide an in-depth review of the advancements, applications, and implications of AR technology in medicine. By exploring various dimensions including medical training, surgical assistance, patient education, and remote healthcare delivery, this review aim to elucidate the transformative potential of AR technology in reshaping the healthcare landscape for better patient outcomes and enhanced medical practice.

2.Method

2.1.Overview of AR

AR is a technology that overlays digital information, such as images, videos, or 3 Dimensional (3D) models, onto the real world, creating an interactive and enhanced view of reality. Unlike VR which immerses users in a completely artificial environment, AR integrates digital elements with the existing environment, allowing users to interact with both physical and virtual items simultaneously. This is achieved through devices like smartphones, tablets, or specialized AR glasses, which capture the real-world environment and then display the augmented content either on a screen or through a wearable display.

The essence of AR lies in its ability to augment the real world with contextually relevant digital content, making information instantly accessible and usable in a real-world context. The applications of AR are vast and varied, stretching across various fields including education, entertainment, and notably, medicine. This technology holds the promise of enhancing the way medical professionals interact with data, engage in medical training, and deliver patient care. Through AR, the static information can become dynamic, offering a more immersive and engaging experience.

The following sections will delve deeper into how AR is being integrated within the medical field to drive advancements in medical education, diagnosis, and treatment, highlighting its potential to reshape healthcare delivery for better patient outcomes and enhanced medical practice.

2.2.AR-based Medicine Education

The rapid maturity of augmented reality allows it to be used in various fields, especially in medical education. Enriching the learning environment and experience through interactive digital information provided by the device allows users to learn and understand medical concepts more deeply and conveniently.

A 2021 study by Dhar et al. explored student experiences and learning outcomes when using AR as a teaching tool, highlighting the potential of AR to enhance engagement and understanding among medical trainees [6]. In addition, learning through AR technology has become an effective tool, which makes it possible to learn a large amount of medical knowledge in a relatively short period of time. Medical students can observe patients from many aspects through AR devices, and because of the interactivity of AR devices, they can learn anatomy or observe operations in a more novel way [7].

AR can also be well used in sub-fields such as anatomy training, surgical training, patient interaction simulation and procedure demonstration [8]. Because of the interactive design of AR technology, medical students can have more opportunities and practice more conveniently, not just learn medical knowledge. By using AR technology, medical education can become more immersive, allowing the industry to have a more modern and efficient education method.

2.3.AR-based Medicine Diagnosis

In addition to its application in medical education, AR technology adds a transformative approach to the field of medical diagnosis because of its ability to superimpose digital information on the real world. AR technology makes it easier for medical professionals to interpret, analyze, and respond to patient data.

Imagine that when surgeons wear glasses with AR technology, they can analyze the patient's current symptoms more intuitively, or they can more easily know the next step of the operation. This is one of the key advantages of AR in medical diagnostics – the ability to provide medical professionals with real-time data and patient analysis. Through AR technology, medical professionals can obtain new ways of disease diagnosis and can also improve the accuracy of surgical operations [9]. Not only providing diagnostic assistance to medical professionals, the application of AR technology also allows patients or their families to understand their conditions in a more intuitive and concise way. When some traditional medical images cannot be presented to patients in a vivid form, AR technology provides a solution to this problem [10].

AR-based medical diagnosis also extends to professional applications such as vein visualization, where AR technology can help healthcare professionals accurately locate and visualize veins, which is critical for various medical procedures [11]. Moreover, the integration of AR with other contemporary technologies such as VR and AI can further augment the diagnostic process. For instance, in the field of ophthalmology, the confluence of AR and VR has the potential to enhance clinical diagnosis and screening services by alleviating existing challenges and introducing innovative solutions [12].

3.Discussion

3.1.AR-based Medicine Education

Taking advantage of its interactive learning characteristics, AR technology is being used in more and more medical education, from anatomy to surgical simulation. The development of courses based on AR technology demonstrates a positive shift in the medical education industry towards modern educational methods.

However, the application of AR technology in medical education also has certain limitations and challenges. Applying AR equipment for teaching is expensive. At the same time, AR technology is a relatively new teaching method, and teaching institutions may need time to judge whether the teaching efficiency of AR meets the requirements. Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of AR software is also a big challenge, and whether patients' private information can be protected is also a factor that needs to be considered when using AR technology.

With advancements in AR technology and a growing body of supportive research, the future looks promising. Decreasing hardware costs and the development of user-friendly applications are likely to propel AR's adoption further. The potential integration of AR with AI and ML opens avenues for intelligent, adaptive learning environments, promising a transformative impact on medical education.

3.2.AR-based Medicine Diagnosis

The integration of AR in medical diagnosis has shown progress in early disease detection and precision medicine. Through AR, real-time data visualization on patient bodies has enabled more accurate diagnostics, and the technology has found applications in various specialties, including radiology and pathology.

Incorporating AR technology into existing healthcare workflows has limitations, as it requires seamless integration to prevent any disruption to routine medical diagnostic processes. It is necessary for AR systems to be designed in a way that complements, rather than complicates, existing diagnostic workflows. Adapting to new technological interventions may also require additional training of medical staff, which may initially slow down the diagnostic process. In addition, the lack of standardized guidelines for the creation and use of AR applications in the diagnostic process is another significant limiting factor. Lack of standardization can lead to inconsistencies in the quality and reliability of AR-based diagnostic applications. Without standardized guidelines, there can be significant variation in how AR is implemented across healthcare organizations, which can hinder the consistent adoption and effectiveness of AR in healthcare diagnostics. Such standardization is critical to ensure that AR applications provide accurate, reliable, and actionable insights for medical diagnosis.

The role of AR in medical diagnostics is expected to grow as research continues, AR technology continues to improve, and regulatory guidelines are developed. Future iterations of AR may include better integration with artificial intelligence for enhanced diagnostic support and more intuitive user interfaces for easy adoption by healthcare professionals.

4.Conclusion

The examination of AR in the medical field, as detailed in this paper, reveals a substantial opportunity to enhance medical education, diagnostics, and patient care. The fusion of digital information with the real-world context not only offers a more immersive environment for healthcare professionals but also leads to more informed, streamlined, and patient-focused healthcare services. AR's versatile applications, which span from enriching the educational experience for medical students to enabling real-time data analysis for precise diagnostics and surgical procedures, underscore its potential for transformative impact. However, the journey towards fully integrating AR within the medical paradigm is laden with challenges such as high implementation costs, the necessity for standardized guidelines, and the imperative for seamless assimilation into existing medical workflows. As AR technology continues to mature, its convergence with other advancing technologies like AI and ML is envisaged to further augment its capabilities, thereby fostering a future where AR becomes integral to medical innovation and enhanced healthcare delivery. Through collaborative endeavors among policymakers, medical institutions, and technology developers, coupled with a conducive regulatory framework and continued research, the full potential of AR in revolutionizing the medical domain can be unlocked, marking a significant stride towards a modernized, efficient, and inclusive healthcare ecosystem.