The Glasgow School of Art has played
a key role in world-first technology which uses augmented reality (AI) to
explain cleft lip and/or palate surgery to parents of young babies. Following three years of successful trials NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has announced this new
innovative is ready to be rolled out for widespread patient use.
The Cleft Lip Education Augmented
Reality (CLEAR) project, led by the West of Scotland Innovation Hub, provides
families with a leaflet which can be scanned via a smartphone or tablet app, allowing a
visual demonstration of the procedure to be viewed. Augmented Reality innovation allows the
leaflet to ‘come to life’ with an interactive 3D
model appearing in the room to walk parents through the procedure, providing a
clear and easily understandable visual explanation.
During the three-year trial period,
the CLEAR project has been used to provide information and reassurance to 42
families whose babies were undergoing surgery for a cleft lip and/or
palate. The technology will now be
available for use by patients and their families following a successful trial
in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde at the Royal Hospital for Children, and it is
hoped the technology will be rolled out nationally in the future.
Around 90 babies are born with a
cleft lip and/or palate in Scotland each year, and may require one or more
surgical procedures to repair a gap or split in their upper lip and/or the roof
of their mouth. The CLEAR interactive
interface has been developed to help families better understand what will
happen during their child’s
procedures and is the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
The visual element of the leaflet
also supports parents for whom English is not their first language, and those
with dyslexia who may have previously struggled with a traditional text-only
paper leaflet.
Through the WoSIH, which is hosted by
NHSGGC, the patient app was co-developed by Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit,
The Glasgow School of Art and The National Cleft Service for Scotland, with
funding from the Glasgow Children’s
Hospital Charity and also supported by Paediatric Health Innovation Centre Hi.
“The Glasgow School of Art are pleased
to have played an instrumental part in co-developing the Cleft Lip Augmented
Reality leaflet app through our expertise in medical visualisation, 3D
modelling and computer programming” says Professor Paul Chapman, Director of
Emerging Technology at The Glasgow School of Art.
“This is a world first that will
positively impact patients’ lives in Scotland and beyond.”
Professor Steven Lo, Consultant
Plastic Surgeon and WoSIH Innovation Fellow said: “This technology, which is the
first of its kind in the world, was developed with patient input and has had
excellent feedback from parents who have used it during the initial trial in
NHSGGC.
“When
a baby has to undergo a surgical procedure, it can be a very daunting and
anxious time for parents. The scannable leaflet gives families the opportunity
to learn more about what is going to happen, and provides a life-sized 3D
visual demonstration, which helps to answer their questions and provide
reassurance”.
“To ensure the augmented reality
leaflet worked effectively for parents before rolling it out, a Randomised
Controlled Trial was undertaken.This showed very strong benefits in terms of
patient understanding and satisfaction, in comparison to a traditional patient
leaflet.
“We
are delighted that this technology is now ready for patient use.”
Kirsten Watson, CEO,
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity said: “Our generous donors, whose funding made this project possible, share a
heartfelt commitment to innovation in children’s healthcare. We
are delighted that more families will benefit from this pioneering work, and
will continue to raise vital funds to develop the very latest technology here
in Glasgow.”