Summary
- Hypno VR: medical hypnosis software for Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift
- Hypno VR will be marketed from June 2018
Hypno VR is an Alsatian startup that develops a virtual reality medical hypnosis device for Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift. After two years of development, the system will finally be marketed in June 2018 to around 2000 French health establishments.
Whether local or general, drug anesthesia is not without risks. In addition, its side effects are often unpleasant for the patient: nausea, memory problems… of the 12 million patients anesthetized each year in France, 30% experience one or more adverse effects.
As an alternative, many health professionals recognize the benefits of medical hypnosis. This presents fewer risks, reduces stress, reduces the consumption of analgesics, shortens the length of stays and accelerates postoperative rehabilitation. It also allows savings of up to more than 1000 euros compared to drug anesthesia. However, this practice is not yet very widespread in hospitals.
Hypno VR: medical hypnosis software for Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift
This is the reason why Doctor Denis Graff, an Alsatian anesthetist, founded the startup Hypno VR in October 2016 alongside his colleague Chloé Chauvin and the expert in new technologies Nicolas Schaettel. Together, they worked to develop a virtual reality application to put a patient in a state of hypnosis for the duration of a surgical operation.
Hypno VR software, compatible with Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR virtual reality headsets, immerses the user in a hypnotic sound and visual environment. Texts and music composed on the principle of music therapy are added to the equation to put the patient in a state of hypnosis. Depending on the medical operation, the schedule varies.
This process will stimulate the patient's senses, focus his attention, and cause temporo-spatial disorientation. Thus, the subject is found gradually immersed in a modified state of consciousness. His perception of pain diminishes, and his mind is focused on healing.
Hypno VR will be marketed from June 2018
In development for two years, Hypno VR has been awarded several times by the French Tech Medtech cluster. Several clinical studies have been carried out in dental surgery, assisted reproduction and pediatric surgery departments. These tests have proved conclusive.
Likewise, several anesthesias could be avoided during injections for chemotherapy. Even better, the surgical act is reduced from 4:30 to only half an hour.
Following these successful tests, Hypno VR is finally preparing to market its solution to healthcare establishments and practitioners. From June 2018, they will be able to subscribe to a library that will grow over time in order to cover all the different therapeutic fields. Further proof that VR can revolutionize medicine.
