Into the era of Avatar Medical Education..

Is VR becoming the land of opportunity for medical industry?

• The ‘2024 Metaverse Expo’ Held at Coex from June 26 to 28
• MEDICAL IP, Showcasing Medical Anatomy Education Solution, ‘MEDIP Box’
• Utilizing Digital Anatomy .. Being used in Seoul National University, Jeju National University and Kangwon National University

It is noteworthy whether virtual space such as the metaverse and virtual reality could emerge as solutions to the current concerns about the lack of infrastructure for medical student education, following the government’s recent implementation of increased medical school enrollment quotas.

‘2024 METAVERSE EXPO’ was held at Coex in Samsung-dong, Gangnamgu, Seoul, from June 26 to 28.

Metaverse Expo is a platform where the companies and related organizations in fields such as medical, manufacturing, education, industrial education, logistics and retail showcase how metaverse and AI(Artificial Intelligence)technologies are being utilized. Approximately 120 companies participated in this exhibition.

MEDICAL IP and Ficuskorea, which have developed and launched solutions and platforms to enable medical education using ICT technologies such as VR and the metaverse also set up their own booths and welcome visitors at this event.

Firstly, MEDICAL IP showcased MEDIP Box, a medical anatomy education solution based on medical imaging data. It is being used in education after undergoing inspection and consultation by Korean Association of Anatomists and implementing digital anatomy in 3D.

Wearing VR enables the exploration of human inner body by segmenting it into parts, organs and sections, allowing for detailed examination.

A representative from MEDICAL IP explained, "Real cadavers are practical for hands-on practice, whereas digital cadavers are particularly beneficial for previewing and reviewing." They added, "Cadaver procurement is difficult domestically and once a cadaver is damaged, it becomes unusable for subsequent learners. In contrast, digital cadavers offer the advantage of continuous use."

Especially with the completion of technology development that connects MEDIP Box, a metaverse solution enabling immersive anatomy education with mobile devices, its use in university education is expected to increase in the future.

This solution is currently being used in Seoul National University, Jeju National University, Kangwon National University and Milsung high school. A representative from MEDICAL IP said, "We've recently signed an export contract with UEMF University in Morocco and received interest from Turkiye as well. There's growing interest, especially in places where cadaver procurement for university education is difficult or faces ethical constraints."He added, “We plan to showcase MEDIP Box at IFAA (International Federation of Associations of Anatomists) which will be held in Gwangju in September.”

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