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Spitalfields firm to power world’s first live-streamed VR cancer operation

London virtual reality (VR) company Mativision is providing the technology behind the world’s first ever live-streamed VR cancer operation.

The procedure, taking place on Thursday 14 March at Barts Health NHS Trust in East London, will see Dr Shafi Ahmed carrying out a live operation on a patient with colon cancer as thousands of medical students watch on using VR headsets.

Utilising a combination of Mativision’s 360° and VR player and Medical Realities VR and AR expertise, the operation will be filmed using two 360° cameras with multiple lenses and live streamed through Mativision’s app.

Medical Realities are a tech firm set up by Dr Shafi with the aim of revolutionising medical training through the use of VR, and it is hoped Thursday’s procedure will provide a blueprint for future operations utilising similar technology.

George Kapellos, Head of Marketing and Partnerships, Mativision said: “This is a very important milestone for Mativision as it will be the first time that our 360 and VR proprietary technology will be used for the medical vertical.

“It’s a great example of how VR can become a powerful educational tool and extend its reach over and above entertainment. The world is just beginning to see the possibilities of what VR can achieve and we are proud to be at the very forefront of this.”

Dr Shafi Ahmed, Cancer Surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust and Co-founder of Medical Realities, added: “I am honoured that this patient has given permission for his experience to provide this unparalleled learning opportunity.

“As a champion of new technology in medicine, I believe that virtual and augmented reality can revolutionise surgical education and training, particularly for developing countries that don’t have the resources and facilities of NHS hospitals.

“I am also grateful to Mativision for making this difficult process possible from a technology perspective. I am very excited about the expansion of this program to bring more medical learning to the world.”

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