For so many years, expectant parents only get to see a grainy image of their unborn child with ultrasound, yet in such poor resolution, it still brings unexplainable joy and excitement. Now with the new technology being developed, parents will have a chance to see their unborn child for the first time in full three-dimensional virtual reality.
According to the Daily Mail, the new technology for this realistic 3D imaging is being developed in Brazil with the use of the Oculus Rift. Brazilian scientists are using MRI scans to build a three-dimensional reconstruction and said that virtual reality headsets transform the MRI scans and data into a life-like model of a fetus.
Once they get an accurate model including the placenta, umbilical cord, and womb, the device is programmed to create a model. These models when recreated shows a detailed view of the respiratory tract and the entire internal structure of the fetus.
With the latest generation of the Oculus Rift 2, it not only places the user in an immersive environment it also picks up the sound of the heartbeat making it easier for the user to look around and study just by moving the head.
In an article by iNews, Dr. Heron Werner, a scientist based in Rio De Janeiro who helped perfect the technology says the Oculus Rift gives detailed and sharp images which can be used to detect abnormalities and defects at an early stage. According to Dr. Werner, this technology will not only allow the parents an enjoyable experience, but it will also pave the way for further studies on fetal anatomical characteristics in an immersive environment.
Although the technique was only tried once in a clinic in Rio De Janeiro where it showed internal abnormalities that required post-natal surgeries, they [the team of scientists] are hoping to distribute it worldwide.
Hence, the new technology was just presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.
