Virtual and augmented reality in medicine

This chapter introduces virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies along with their wide utility in biomedical applications. In these applications, VR is typically referred to as immersive multimedia or computer-simulated reality of a clinical setting in order to allow the user to interact in that setting. With AR, it is the augmentation of virtual content to the live, direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world setting. This chapter starts with the basic concepts of VR and AR technologies and is then followed by examples in various biomedical applications—i.e., VR in surgical planning simulators, minimally invasive surgery using AR, the use of VR/AR in mental healthcare, and various other applications.