Innovation

Summary of work

Virtual Valve is a novel, 360-degree, virtual reality experience developed for Edwards Lifesciences and designed to educate interventional cardiologists (ICs) on the impact of aortic stenosis (AS) and the clinical advantages, including the broad patient suitability, of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) over the existing standard of care, surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). We created an interactive virtual reality experience that transforms case-based learning into a fully immersive patient journey.

Incorporating a user-friendly interface and voice-over with Oculus Rift and Xbox Kinect technologies, ICs can actually enter the heart of an AS patient. The application of virtual reality allows users to modify symptoms, co-morbidities and disease severity, so they can experience a range of AS patient profiles. Guided through the experience, users can observe the impact of AS on anatomy and physiology in never-before-seen detail, before selecting the best treatment for each patient. By pioneering the use of 360-degree virtual reality, we transformed case-based learning into a new medium of medical education. We wanted to use this novel educational tool to encourage behavioural change among ICs, regarding patient selection for TAVI. In 2015, Virtual Valve was featured at numerous events across Europe, including the two largest cardiology congresses where it has been experienced by almost 3,000 cardiology healthcare professionals.

Judges' comments

This education initiative was based on a true need. Edward Lifesciences used high-end technology to reflect the leading edge of their product.