Beyond Illusion: Holograms Transforming Medical Reality

Holograms, once relegated to the realm of science fiction, have found practical applications in various fields, including healthcare. In this realm, holograms represent a revolutionary tool for medical professionals, offering enhanced visualization and interaction with complex anatomical structures. By projecting three-dimensional representations of organs, tissues, and medical data, holograms enable surgeons to plan procedures with unprecedented precision, educators to impart knowledge in immersive ways, and researchers to analyze intricate biological processes in detail. From surgical simulations to patient education and telemedicine consultations, holograms are shaping the future of healthcare by providing intuitive, interactive, and lifelike representations of the human body and medical data, ultimately improving outcomes and advancing medical practice A hologram is a three-dimensional image created by the distortion of light beams that reflect natural objects in real life. Holograms store depth, parallax, and other features of the original object. They are great for introducing complex technical concepts and showcasing attractive products in appearance.

So, what is a hologram? Holograms are three-dimensional images produced by disturbing light rays that reflect authentic, tangible objects. Unlike the usual 3D guesses, holograms can be seen with the naked eye.

There are two ways to make holograms: using a computer – with real mirrors and physical - with an optical display.

Stereotypical holograms

The most common example of a stereotypical hologram is Microsoft HoloLens. In 2015, Microsoft became the first company to introduce HoloLens holographic glasses. 

Content creators use HoloStudio software to create HoloLens holograms. The app allows users to import models from other applications or customise 3D objects. In short, you can use HoloLens to create complex visuals. Next, these objects are placed at the top of the image of the surrounding earth, utilising the glass of a non-real object.

The result is an image that looks very similar to Pokemon Go. The only difference is that at HoloLens, instead of seeing amazing dinosaurs, you are using a virtual workplace, an education office, or a visual conference with a colleague.

HoloLens makes this possible by linking AR objects to standard computer programs for work and entertainment. 

Real holograms

In 1947, Dennis Gabor - a Hungarian-British physicist - developed a modern hologram theory while working with an electron microscope. However, optical holography only improved with the arrival of the laser in 1960. The laser emits a powerful light that captures only a few nanoseconds.

This makes it possible to detect holograms of high-speed events, such as an arrow or a flying bullet. The first human-based laser hologram was created in 1967, which paved the way for many other applications of holographic technology.

So, how do holograms work? When illuminated with a laser, holograms can create an accurate 3D clone of an object and duplicate its features.

To produce an accurate view of a hologram somewhere in space, two light waves must be accompanied by a motion - a reference wave and an object wave. The light source creates the reference wave, and the object wave is visible from the recorded object. There is also a photo plate where black lines are "printed" depending on the distribution of electrical energy (interference) somewhere.

The same process takes place in regular photographic film. However, a printed copy of the photographic paper is required to reproduce an image on it. During the practical application of hologram technology, everything happens differently.

To reproduce the "portrait," the image plate must be "illuminated" by another wave of light near the reference wave. This converts both waves into a new wave of light running along with the object wave, resulting in the most complete manifestation of the object itself. To better understand how holograms are produced, watch this short video.

Holographic technology is used in a variety of ways in every few industries. The list below includes some of the most famous examples:

1. Communication

Two holograms were built to make the call between them happen. Both are fully capable of conveying emotions and user touch.

2. Education

In 2015, Nobel laureate and Stanford University professor of physics Karl Wieman spoke at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) without leaving the United States.

In 2013, St George's University of London unveiled a hologram that can show the active parts of the human body. The presentation featured three-dimensional images of a four-foot-tall kidney, a skull, and other body parts.

3. Location navigation

In 2017, scientists from the Munich University of Technology developed a way to find a three-dimensional hologram using a Wi-Fi hotspot. The method described in the study allows for the creation of copies of buildings by displaying objects around them. This technology can locate and rescue victims trapped under an avalanche or inside collapsed buildings.

4. Marketing and direct sales

Product hologram is a new marketing strategy to attract customer attention. With the help of a hologram, you can enlarge a copy of the 3D product and make it look round. This is ideal for customers who want to see their desired purchase fully.

In 2017, Barbie introduced a holographic robot doll that responds to voice commands. The toy answered questions about the weather and discussed other topics.

5. Music shows

Eric Prydz's face hologram culminated in his EPIC 5.0 show in London 2017. An impressive laser show accompanied the famous French DJ. By the end of the evening, more than 300 lasers had performed a hologram of a DJ's head volume. Since then, DJ programs have been in vogue. Just next to my apartment in London, the ABBA stadium is purpose-built for their state-of-the-art shows using "Abbatars". This could form the template for future concerts.

6. Return of historical people

In 2012, the Digital Domain studio, specialising in the VFX of Hollywood movie stars, brought Tupac Shakur back to life as a unique 3D hologram. They created animated digital avatar animations similar to Tupac's life using a dual character and body. In 2014, Tupac appeared at Coachella for his digital manhood status.

As with Tupac and any other educational activity, such as making a visual history museum, producing holograms requires more planning and communication. First, these holograms were created based on the use of unique digital images by people who left us long ago. Creating 3D models, dynamic motion, and real-world speech takes work. In other words, we can not only restore Tupac's voice from the past but also create new authentic content as if the artist were still with us. 

The future of holographic technology

The steady increase in computing power worldwide will allow for creating digital models that will provide the ever-increasing speed that will make it extremely difficult to distinguish the real ones.

Next, the emergence of holographic technology will lead to its growing discovery and portability. Augmented reality users will no longer need to wear special glasses but will be integrated directly with landscape elements. Of course, we already know how holographic pedestrian crossings and holographic advertising work. But we can only imagine how our cities and lives will change as technological evolution accelerates.

Hologram penetration depends on 5G and beyond, Bandwidth is the first limit on the hologram. 5G is targeting tens of gigabytes per second download speeds. (My phone currently allows around 2GB/s) There have been some studies about teleporting requirements, which are in the order of terabits per second. However, full HD resolution will require about four terabits per second. Ultimately, we want to empower a completely holographic sense and look like we are in the same room. Depending on the bandwidth, this can be very expensive, but the desire is increasing.

Early market features also create a "wow factor" that organisations can use to differentiate themselves. For example, avatar creation precedes holograms. For example, solid 2D models are used for image retrieval in email, social networks, sharing tools, etc., while 3D versions are used in virtual reality (VR).

Unity Technology game and application development platform supports 2D and 3D. Unreal Engine 4 and the newly released powerful version 5 will allow photoreal images and help create digital humans that could be used as holograms. 

Holograms will enhance the future of communication, presentation and brand ownership. VR, AR and Spatial Web will provide viewers with inspiring new ways of interacting and providing information and is an exciting development. 

• Remote consultation/therapy: Holograms can enable doctors to provide treatment or consultation to patients far away or unable to travel. For example, holograms can help doctors communicate with patients with mental health issues or chronic diseases, using 3D avatars that mimic their facial expressions and body language. Holograms can also help patients cope with pain or anxiety by creating immersive environments that distract them from their discomfort.This is my hologram created with DoubleMe:

• Surgery: Holograms can provide surgeons with a 3D map of the patient's anatomy, allowing them to plan and perform complex procedures more precisely and confidently. They can help surgeons navigate around specific tissue structures and avoid unnecessary damage. Holograms can also be used to observe the status of organs or bones in real-time, which can be helpful in monitoring fractures or infections.

• Tumour localisation: Holograms can help doctors locate tumours more accurately and safely, especially deep inside the body or near vital organs. For example, holograms can help doctors visualise a brain tumour's exact position and shape before operating on it. Holograms can also guide radiation therapy or chemotherapy, ensuring that only the cancerous cells are targeted and minimising side effects.

• Medical training: Holograms can enhance medical education by providing students with realistic 3D human anatomy and physiology models. Students can interact with holograms using gestures or voice commands, which can improve their spatial awareness and understanding of complex concepts. Holograms can also simulate various scenarios or conditions that students may encounter in practice, such as trauma or cardiac arrest.

Integrating holograms into healthcare represents a transformative leap forward in visualisation, education, and patient care. These cutting-edge technologies offer medical professionals unprecedented insights into the human body, enabling them to plan surgeries with unparalleled precision, educate patients in immersive ways, and conduct research with enhanced clarity. As holographic applications evolve and become more accessible, their potential to revolutionize medical practice and improve patient outcomes is boundless. Embracing holograms expands our understanding of anatomy and pathology and opens doors to innovative approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and medical training. In this dynamic landscape, where science fiction becomes medical reality, holograms are beacons of innovation, guiding the healthcare industry toward a future that is defined by enhanced visualization, personalized care, and improved medical outcomes.