A VR neurointerventional setup for catheter-based interventions focusing on visualizing the risk of radiation

Interventional neuroradiologists carry out their minimally-invasive procedure by using X-rays within the setup of a Bi-plane Digital Subtraction Angiography. This work provides an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment where the physicians can perform an simulated catheter-based intervention. Since radiation is invisible, the risk of radiation exposure can be enhanced virtually. Our goal is to see whether radiation visualization influences medical professionals such that they take a more mindful approach towards interactions on the operating table then without one. We tested our scenario within an expert study where ten neuroradiologists participated and solved intervention-related tasks. Our expert study found that while visualization does not affect the placement of the radiation shield by the physician, the overall radiation exposure using visualization does decrease as users standing very close move to a greater distance from the table. Furthermore, our System Usability Scale evaluation revealed a high score for this approach’s usability. • VR allows for radiation visualization of exposure in an immersive medical setting. • Investigation of the safety behavior of medical experts with radiation visualization. • With visualization, overall radiation intensity at the medical expert is reduced.