Which immersive solutions should be chosen for the healthcare sector?

1. Choose headsets suitable for healthcare applications

For use in the healthcare sector, it is best to choose equipment that is self-contained, reliable, and easy to use. Headsets 6DoF track head and body movements, allowing the user to move around and interact within the virtual environment. They are suitable for medical simulations and training that requires precise movements. The models 3DoF These primarily track head movements and are better suited for static experiments conducted while sitting or lying down.

• Pico Neo 3 Pro : this standalone headset 6DoF is designed for professional use and experiences that require precise movements and interactions. Its rigid headband with a built-in battery improves the headset’s balance during sessions. It features a PU foam face interface, which is easier to clean than a fabric cover, making it easier for multiple people to use.

• Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise : this helmet 6DoF enables interactive medical simulations, professional training, and mixed-reality visualizations. Its polyurethane face cushion is designed to be easily wiped down and cleaned, making it suitable for environments where multiple users share the same equipment.

• Pico G3+ : this solution 3DoF It is suitable for immersive videos, relaxation experiences, educational content, and sessions that do not require movement. Its face pads are interchangeable and easy to clean, and its standalone operation makes it easy to deploy across different departments.

The choice of headset therefore depends on the desired level of interaction, the user’s position, and the type of content being presented. In group settings, it is best to choose models equipped with a Smooth, removable face interface without a fabric covering.

2. Accessories to improve hygiene and comfort

A headset alone is not always sufficient to ensure an experience suitable for healthcare applications. When equipment is used successively by multiple students, professionals, or patients, the accessories must facilitate the cleaning of surfaces that come into contact with the face, allow for their replacement, and enable the disinfection of the equipment between sessions.

2.1. Use an easy-to-clean interface for each headset

Providing multiple face interfaces per headset allows for a rotation system. One interface can be removed, cleaned, and left to dry while another is installed on the headset.

• The protective foam for Pico Neo 3 & G3 It features a smooth faux leather base and a double layer of PU. Its non-woven surface is easy to clean and minimizes sweat absorption. It is compatible with the Pico Neo 3 Pro and the Pico Neo 3 Pro Eye.

• The double PU face cushion for Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise Replaces the original interface. Its PU leather design makes it easy to clean with a compatible cleaning solution and improves comfort during extended use.

Interfaces must be inspected regularly and replaced when they show signs of wear. The product used for their maintenance must comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations and the protocols established by the facility.

2.2. Clean the various surfaces with appropriate cleaning products

The face interfaces, lenses, controllers, and exterior surfaces should not be cleaned in the same way. Each part of the headset is made of different materials and therefore requires a specific cleaning method to maintain a high level of hygiene without damaging the equipment.

• The Zeiss Optical Cleaning Kit allows you to clean the lenses using accessories designed for optical surfaces. It helps remove dust, fingerprints, and residue without risking scratches on the lenses or compromising display quality. Use light, circular motions without applying excessive pressure.

• The Ront Assepto Disinfectant Wipes can be used on compatible, frequently touched surfaces, such as controllers, certain exterior parts of the headset, or PU face interfaces. They allow for quick cleaning of the equipment between users, while making it easier to organize consecutive sessions.

• The disposable face masks provide an additional layer of protection between the user’s face and the face interface. They can be distributed individually during training sessions or group sessions to limit direct contact with the headset. However, they do not replace the cleaning and disinfection of equipment after each use.

Maintenance should also include straps, buttons, controller handles, and areas frequently touched during a session. The equipment should then be left to dry completely in a clean, well-ventilated area before being stored or passed on to a new user. To avoid mistakes, it is advisable to establish a formal protocol specifying the approved cleaning products, the surfaces to be cleaned, and the frequency of cleaning.

2.3. Disinfect headsets between uses

When equipment is used daily by multiple people, UV-C disinfection solutions serve as a complement to manual cleaning. They facilitate the rotation of equipment without applying liquids, heat, or chemicals directly to the headsets.

• The Cleanbox CX1 is designed to quickly disinfect a virtual reality or augmented reality headset. Its compact size makes it ideal for facilities that use a limited number of headsets or that want to sanitize each device immediately after a session. It can disinfect up to 50 headsets per hour thanks to its UVC LED technology.
  
  
• The Cleanbox OmniClean provides 360-degree disinfection thanks to more than 30 UVC LEDs, reflective surfaces, and a rotating quartz plate. It can accommodate headsets, controllers, and various accessories, with a cycle time of approximately one minute. It can remove up to 99.99% of bacteria, without generating heat or affecting the plastic.
  
  
• The closet Uvisan VRProM UV-C ddisinfects up to 36 VR headsets in two minutes using 360° UV-C exposure. It eliminates up to 99.999% of bacteria—without heat, liquids, or chemicals. Its 36 USB ports also allow devices to be charged while they are being disinfected, while its lockable doors ensure secure storage.

These UV-C solutions are used after visible smudges, sweat, and residue have been removed. The face-contacting surfaces must first be wiped down, while the lenses require separate cleaning with a suitable optical cleaning solution. This protocol allows for the combination of Manual cleaning, user protection, and equipment disinfection between sessions.

3. Transportation and Protection Solutions

In the healthcare sector, headsets may be used in multiple rooms, moved between different departments, or sent to various facilities. Their storage solution must therefore allow for quick retrieval of each piece of equipment, protect fragile components, and enable preparation for upcoming sessions without wasting time.