A neurosurgery team at a leading London hospital is taking training and patient care to the next level with cutting-edge simXAR technology.
Initially designed for high-fidelity training and simulations, this 3D imaging tech is now used to involve patients more closely in their care.
Select patients are invited to explore their 3D brain models before surgery, providing a unique and powerful opportunity to visualise and better understand the procedures ahead.
The Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust introduced mixed reality technology into their clinical practice. The platform allows clinicians and patients to interact with high-resolution 3D hologram-like images of patient scans.
It offers new insights into surgical anatomy and is currently used alongside more traditional imaging techniques.
One of the first patients to experience this innovation was Matthew, who was treated at Charing Cross Hospital following a subarachnoid haemorrhage in 2023.
Surgeons discovered two aneurysms in his brain, one of which had ruptured. After successful surgery, Matthew could view his 3D augmented reality model created from pre- and post-operative scans. This experience left him impressed and helped him gain a deeper understanding of the procedure he had undergone.
Matthew said: ‘I couldn’t believe how detailed and lifelike the images were. Seeing my brain in 3D was surreal, but it made me feel much more informed and reassured about my treatment.’
Imperial College Healthcare’s neurosurgery team, led by consultant skull base and vascular neurosurgeon Arthur Dalton, has primarily leveraged this advanced technology for surgical training and simulation.
By offering an interactive, immersive view of complex brain and spine structures, the team aims to enhance the training of future surgeons while also improving patient consultations and surgical planning.
Mr Dalton said: ‘We immediately saw the potential of this technology and set out to develop a world-class mixed reality suite. Its detail and interactivity far surpass traditional methods, facilitating better preparation and understanding for surgeons, trainees, and patients. We believe this can significantly advance patient care.’
Beyond training, the technology is used in selected patient consultations, where individuals like Matthew can review their surgical anatomy in detail.
The mixed reality models help patients better understand their condition and the planned interventions, bridging communication between clinicians and patients.
Mr Ali Haddad, senior neurosurgery registrar and founder of XARlabs, which developed the simXAR platform, is enthusiastic about the technology’s potential.
He said: ‘We are excited to be pioneering this innovation at the Trust. It allows us to visualise and rehearse surgical procedures with remarkable accuracy.’
He added that clinical trials are being planned to explore how the technology could be integrated into real-time surgical procedures in the future.
The 3D models created from Matthew’s scans are now being used to train the next generation of surgeons.
