Panasonic brings immersive projection to calm patients in CT scans

Swedish Karolinska Hospital applies innovative visual solution to calm children having CT scans (TAC), based on the PT-JX200 space player Panasonic, with laser projection and lighting functions, and in its PT-VMZ71 series.

Applying technology to make CT scans less stressful for child patients and increasing the number of CT scans performed per day has been the goal achieved by the Karolinska University Hospital from Stockholm, thanks to the project carried out by the visual and sound specialist Ljudbyrån AB, with projection technology Panasonic as a central element.

CT scans are used to provide vital and detailed internal images of the body. Unfortunately, Children and some adults often find the testing process very stressful and claustrophobic., to the point that sedation or anesthesia is sometimes required.

Lena Gordon Murkes, pediatric radiologist at swedish hospital, contacted Thomas Folland, founder of Ljudbyrån AB, after seeing one of their interactive displays in a shopping center to learn if a similar solution could be used to calm patients and provide a more positive experience in the CT exam room.

The Ljudbyrån AB team accepted the challenge and designed an interactive sound and projection solution “that has had incredible results”, they point out from the hospital.

The CT room is now equipped with two Panasonic laser projectors that emit immersive images on the ceiling and on the CT scanner itself, along with four speakers for sound and a touch screen for patients to choose one of the ten different relaxing effects it integrates.

Immersive visual experiences range from a rainforest with the sound of water and birds to stunning underwater scenes and popular cartoon characters.

“Many children and parents come to us at a very stressful time in their lives., with severe trauma or tumors - explains Lena Gordon -. In these situations, We have noticed that in the living room they are calmer with light and sound; patients who were previously afraid when entering the room, now they do it without hesitation. Many quick exams can be performed without anesthesia, for patients ranging from children under 1 year to adults, and those who still need it, "Images and sound are very useful as a distraction when we use needles to administer the sedative.".

Specifically, The solution is based on the projector 1 DLP chip with Solid Shine laser technology Space Player de Panasonic, with lighting functions in a single spotlight design, which can be easily attached to standard lighting tracks for easy installation.

With a shine of 2.000 lumens and a laser light source 20.000 hours for maintenance-free operation, Space Player, can project in all directions below its horizontal axis and can be used with SD cards, PC and tablets to play content (more details in Digital AV).

This immersive solution has been so successful that it has also been implemented in four additional CT units at Huddinge Hospital, south of the city. Besides, Doctors from other centers in Europe have visited the hospital to see the solution in action.

In other facilities, The team has chosen projectors from the series PT-VMZ71 from the manufacturer with different brightness levels to adapt to each environment, since it is made up of four LCD models, with a power of 5.000 a 7.000 lumens and resolution WUXGA.

To facilitate flexible installation, This series incorporates vertical/horizontal lens shift, as well as trapezoidal correction angular y v/h, along with a new six-point screen adjustment functionality, which helps to make better use of space (more information in this diary).

“We chose Panasonic for the quality and reliability of its projectors - emphasizes Thomas Folland -. In this critical medical environment it was essential that we use laser projectors that offered 20.000 hours of maintenance-free operation, and their LCD and DLP projectors have never let us down”.

This solution has changed the way patients feel when they have to have a CT scan. “Patients and children's parents now describe it as a fun and positive experience.”, instead of anxiety, the fear and discomfort they experienced before - says Gordon -. The new audiovisual environment helps make a potentially terrifying exploration a positive experience.”.