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Final Program


Final Program

Ultrasound

105 - Extended Reality for Ultrasound Education: A Pilot Evaluation of Augmented Reality Glasses for Knee and FAST Examinations

Thursday, February 19, 2026
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM AST
Objectives: Augmented reality (AR) and extended reality (XR) technologies are transforming medical education by providing real-time guidance, shared procedural visualization, and effective competency assessment. These tools enable immediate feedback, improve procedural accuracy and efficiency, support remote training, and allow procedure recording for self-assessment. This study evaluates the efficacy of Vuzix AR glasses in assessing proficiency during ultrasound examinations.

Design: Three physicians (1 physiatrist and 2 family medicine) wore Vuzix M4000 AR glasses, distributed by GreenpointXR, while performing knee ultrasound and FAST examinations on a standardized patient. Two trained physician observers provided real-time feedback, and all procedures were video recorded. Performance was assessed with a structured rubric evaluating accuracy, proficiency, and efficiency. For the knee examination, key structures included the quadriceps and patellar tendons, MCL, LCL, menisci, cartilage, synovial fluid, and bursae. For the FAST examination, free fluid was assessed in RUQ, LUQ, and pelvic views. Each structure was scored as Observed (1), Not Observed (0), or Unable to Determine (2). Descriptive statistics analyzed accuracy and efficiency, with primary outcomes being correct structure identification and exam completion time.

Results: All participants achieved 100% accuracy in identifying key anatomical structures during both knee ultrasound and FAST examinations. Each exam was completed within 30 minutes, reflecting standardized procedure times. Use of Vuzix AR glasses enabled a shared visual field between operator and observer, facilitating real-time feedback that enhanced both accuracy and efficiency. For the knee examination, all targeted structures were correctly identified, and for the FAST examination, the operator successfully identified the absence of free fluid in all views.

Conclusions: Augmented reality is a promising tool for ultrasound training and educational content development, supporting effective procedural training and skill acquisition. With proper integration, AR/XR technologies have the potential to significantly advance procedural and interventional medical education.