The Surface Revolution: Intelligent Imaging, Motion Correlation, and Augmented Reality in Radiotherapy
Description
Surface-guided radiotherapy (SGRT) has changed how we position and watch patients—by giving the team a live, camera-based view of the body’s surface without extra markers or tattoos. This exploratory session looks at what’s next: using that same surface information as the springboard for augmented reality (AR). Imagine seeing a gentle “ghost” of the planned position on the patient, simple color cues that show where a nudge is needed, a clear preview of where the gantry or couch will move before it moves, or a calm breathing band that helps patients hit their comfort zone for gating. We’ll survey the state of the art from early clinical pilots and lab studies, focusing on how AR could improve patient safety (earlier collision awareness, fewer re-positions), patient comfort (less poking and prodding, clearer breathing coaching, fewer tattoos), and team workflow (shared visual cues, faster agreement on “good enough,” fewer surprises). Rather than debating AR as a replacement for imaging, we’ll frame it as a simple, human-friendly layer on top of SGRT: a way to make what we already know visible to everyone in the room. Attendees will leave with a clear picture of what’s real today, what questions remain, and practical ideas for small, low-risk pilots that help the care team work safer, calmer, and more consistently.