Background and purpose of introducing 3D digital twins

Kobe Minimally Invasive Cancer Medical Center (Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture) is a cancer hospital that specializes in minimally invasive treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Many patients visit from all over the country, including many who come from far away to receive treatment. While the hospital offers advanced medical technology and expertise, the experience of treatment at the hospital is often accompanied by anxiety for patients and their families due to the unknown space and environment. In particular, when visiting the hospital for the first time, not knowing the specific location where the treatment will be performed or its atmosphere can increase the psychological burden.

In light of this, Kobe Minimally Invasive Cancer Medical Center decided to introduce the latest 3D digital twin technology so that patients and their families can feel at ease by knowing the hospital environment in advance. Using this technology, the hospital's internal space has been digitized, making it possible to provide detailed visual information of the treatment rooms online. In particular, the locations where patients actually receive treatment have been realistically reproduced for three treatment rooms: Cyberknife, Tomotherapy, and TrueBeam. This initiative goes beyond the mere use of technology and embodies the hospital's philosophy of providing a medical environment that is close to the patients.

Specific uses and features of 3D digital twins

The 3D digital twin system provides a highly accurate digital representation of the hospital's interior. The system allows patients and their families to virtually visit treatment rooms in the hospital using a web browser or mobile device. Specifically, three treatment rooms for radiation therapy - CyberKnife, TomoTherapy, and TrueBeam - are reproduced in detail, allowing patients to check the structure, equipment, and atmosphere of each room in real time.

Furthermore, the quality of the visual experience has been further improved by utilizing the expansion system "ArchiTwinUI." The tag list function on the right side of the screen allows patients to select the point they want to see with one click, creating a highly user-friendly interface. This function makes it possible to flexibly respond to individual questions and concerns patients may have, such as specific medical equipment or the detailed structure of the treatment room.

The 3D digital twin also provides complementary information about other important areas where patients spend time at the hospital, beyond the treatment room. For example, the 3D digital twin adds easy-to-understand explanations about the parking lot entrance and how to handle parking tickets, which are often confusing for first-time patients, reducing anxiety when visiting the hospital. This creates an environment where patients can concentrate on their treatment itself, significantly reducing the psychological burden on patients.

Impact of 3D digital twins on patients and medical facilities

Through efforts using 3D digital twins, Kobe Minimally Invasive Cancer Medical Center has created a new form of psychological care for patients and their families. In particular, by being able to confirm in advance what kind of space they will be receiving treatment in through a realistic reproduction of the treatment room, anxiety at the first visit is greatly reduced. In addition, by experiencing the structure, equipment, and atmosphere of the treatment room in advance, patients will be better prepared for treatment and will have a deeper understanding of it. By creating such an environment, it is expected that patients themselves will be encouraged to take a proactive approach to treatment, improving the quality of the treatment experience itself.

Furthermore, 3D digital twins bring great value not only to patients but also to their families. For families, who often become anxious and worried when they do not know the details of treatment, being able to check the treatment room digitally is an important way to provide peace of mind. In addition, by understanding the internal structure of the hospital and the flow of patients when visiting in advance, it is possible to act smoothly during the actual visit, which is expected to create a less stressful experience for both patients and their families.

The introduction of 3D digital twins in the medical field also improves operational efficiency. In particular, basic questions frequently asked by patients, such as "where is the parking lot and how to use it" and "what is the procedure for the first visit?" can be visually and intuitively supplemented on the 3D digital twin, reducing the burden on staff. In this way, digital twins are not just a technology, but also serve as an important tool that provides convenience to all involved parties, including patients, their families, and staff.

This initiative by Kobe Minimally Invasive Cancer Medical Center is a good example of the potential of digital twins in the medical field, and is a case study of how digital twins can improve patient experience while also increasing operational efficiency. This case study will serve as a reference for other medical institutions as they explore new ways to support patients.

Kobe Minimally Invasive Cancer Medical Center/3D Digital Twin
https://ui.archi-twin.com/showcase/?id=Pf5eCocgYnE