Medical-grade VR, used across a range of procedures
Clinicians use Smileyscope and Lume during needle procedures, imaging, biopsies, wound care, infusions and women's health procedures. Find the procedure your patient is facing to see where VR helps, which experience clinicians choose, and which device it runs on
Needle procedures and vascular access
Arterial blood gas
Arterial blood gas testing can be an unfamiliar and stressful procedure, often performed when answers are needed quickly. VR can be started in moments, providing an immersive focus to help ease pain and anxiety during the ABG procedure.
Blood draws/Phlebotomy
The immersive experience reframes needle sensations in a synchronised way, as virtual fish nibbling at the arm. This helps patients remain calm, engaged and still throughout the blood draw, reducing distress and the need for physical restraint.
Central line removal
Central line removal can bring anxiety about what to expect and how it will feel. VR provides a calming, immersive focus during the procedure, helping ease anticipatory anxiety and procedural stress.
Dialysis fistula cannulation
Regular dialysis can mean repeated cannulation and anxiety that builds in anticipation of each session. VR provides a calming, immersive focus during cannulation, helping ease procedural anxiety and support comfort.
Finger-prick glucose testing
Fingerpricks can bring anxiety, particularly when they are needed regularly. VR provides an engaging focus before and during the procedure, helping ease anticipation and procedural anxiety.
Intramuscular and subcutaneous injections
Vaccinations, insulin, growth hormone and other regular injections can become a daily source of fear. VR helps patients through injections re-frame sensations and develop positive coping skills.
IV cannulation
The immersive VR experience is synchronised with key steps of the procedure: from tourniquet placement, to the needle itself, reframing each sensation as part of the experience. This helps patients remain calm, engaged and still, reducing distress and the need for physical restraint.
Midline insertion
Midline insertion and removals requires patients to keep their arm still throughout several procedural steps, which can take some time. VR provides sustained engagement and a calming focus
PICC insertion and removal
PICC line insertion requires patients to keep their arm still throughout several procedural steps. VR provides sustained engagement and a calming focus, helping patients remain settled from preparation through to completion.
Port access
Port access can cause anxiety and discomfort, particularly with repeated treatments. VR provides a calming support while encouraging patients to lift their head and remain still, allowing clinicians easier access to the port.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations may be quick, but can be daunting for needle-phobic patients. VR builds positive coping skills and reframes needle sensations, helping reduce fear and create a more positive experience for future vaccinations.
Imaging
Barium swallow
Barium swallow studies involve drinking contrast and moving into different positions on the examination table. VR helps patients feel calmer, tolerate the drink and follow instructions throughout the study.
CT scan
A preparation program walks patients through what the CT scanner looks and sounds like, so the real scan feels familiar and they can hold still for it. It can also be used during non-head CT scans.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram requires children to remain relatively still while the probe moves across the chest. VR keeps children calmly engaged, helping them stay settled while the sonographer captures the images they need.
EEG
Placement of multiple electrodes and the need to stay still make EEGs hard, especially for anxious or sensory-sensitive children. VR helps them tolerate setup and remain settled throughout the recording.
Fluoroscopy
Fluoroscopy requires patients to maintain specific positions during live imaging, sometimes for extended periods. VR provides engaging experiences, helping patients remain relaxed and still for smoother imaging and procedures.
MRI
VR prepares children for MRI sights and sounds, turning staying still into a fun game in a donut factory or space adventure. Over 90% avoid general anaesthesia for MRI. *This program cannot be used within the MRI itself
Nuclear medicine and PET
Nuclear medicine scans need an injection and then long periods lying still. VR helps with the injection and keeps patients settled through the scan.
Ultrasound
VR keeps patients calm, relaxed and still, allowing sonographers to obtain clear, high-quality images.
X-ray
Some X-rays may require awkward or painful positions held. VR helps patients stay still for the image.
Anaesthetics
Gas induction
VR helps children become comfortable with the anaesthetic mask and encourages slow, relaxed breathing during induction. Immersive experiences reduce anxiety and resistance, supporting a calmer, smoother transition to sleep.
IV induction
VR reframes sensations during IV cannulation, from tourniquet placement and skin cleansing to needle insertion. This helps children remain calm and still, reducing pain, anxiety and the need for physical restraint during induction.
Pre-op theatre hold / transfer
Waiting for theatre and transferring to the operating room can heighten anxiety, particularly during unexpected delays. VR helps patients feel safe, supported and settled until their procedure begins.
Pre-procedure anxiety
Smileyscope's VR outperformed 2D video for pre-induction anxiety. Starting a program in the waiting area settles patients before they go in.
Regional blocks
Nerve blocks are placed while the patient is awake and needs to stay still. VR keeps them calm and positioned while the block goes in.
Haematology/Oncology
Blood transfusions
VR helps reduce pain and anxiety during cannulation, while promoting relaxation, comfort and procedural tolerance throughout the transfusion.
Bone marrow aspirate
VR helps reduce pain and anxiety, supporting comfort during the procedure or while preparing for sedation.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can involve extended chair time and repeated treatment visits. Longer VR programs provide sustained engagement and a calming focus, helping make treatment time feel more manageable.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy can involve extended chair time and repeated treatment visits. Longer VR programs provide sustained engagement and a calming focus, helping make treatment time feel more manageable.
Infusions
Infusions can involve extended chair time and repeated treatment visits. Longer VR programs provide sustained engagement and a calming focus, helping make treatment time feel more manageable.
IVIG
IVIG can involve extended chair time and repeated treatment visits. Longer VR programs provide sustained engagement and a calming focus, helping make treatment time feel more manageable.
Emergency
Chest drain insertion and/or removal
VR supports calm, controlled breathing during chest drain insertion and removal, helping patients coordinate their breathing with key procedural steps, including drain removal, while reducing anxiety and discomfort.
Dislocation reduction
VR promotes relaxation during dislocation reduction, helping reduce muscle tension and procedural pain. This may facilitate easier, more successful reduction while supporting patient comfort.
Foreign body removal
VR helps patients remain calm and still during foreign body removal from the ear, nose or skin, supporting precise removal while reducing distress and the need for physical restraint.
Fracture manipulation
VR helps reduce pain, anxiety and muscle tension during fracture manipulation, supporting patient comfort and relaxation alongside analgesia or sedation.
Suture and staple removal
VR reframes sensations during these procedures (e.g. gentle virtual fish nibbles), helping reduce pain and anxiety while keeping patients calm and still.
Suturing and laceration repair
VR reframes sensations during laceration repair as gentle virtual fish nibbles, helping reduce pain and anxiety while keeping patients calm and still.
Wound care and burns
Abscess incision and drainage
VR helps reduce pain and anxiety during abscess drainage, supporting patient comfort and stillness alongside local anaesthesia or nitrous oxide.
Dressing changes
VR helps reduce pain and anxiety by reframing sensations, promoting relaxation and supporting comfort throughout repeated procedures.
Physiotherapy and rehab
Stretching and rehabilitation can be challenging, particularly during recovery from burns and wounds. VR provides an engaging focus, helping patients stay motivated, relaxed and engaged with movement and therapy..
Orthopaedics
Joint aspiration and injection
VR helps patients stay relaxed and still, which makes the procedure easier for them and the clinician.
Pin site care and pin removal
VR provides a calming, engaging focus during cleaning pin sites and pin removal, helping patients feel more relaxed and supported.
Plaster and cast removal
The noise and vibration of the cast saw frighten many children. VR blocks out the sight of the saw and keeps them calm while the cast comes off.
Neurology
Botox injections
Botox treatment for muscle tightness and contractures can involve multiple injections in one session. Smileyscope reframes each injection as a gentle “fish nibble” within the underwater adventure, helping patients stay engaged.
Lumbar puncture
An LP needs the patient curled and still for the whole procedure. Mindfulness and procedure programs help patients hold position calmly throughout, and can be viewed in the lateral position.
Respiratory
CPAP and BiPAP
Guided deep-breathing programs help patients relax, settle into the experience and become more comfortable with treatment.
Nebulisers
Visual breathing cues guide patients through nebuliser treatment, helping them keep the mask on and breathe steadily.
Oxygen masks
The headset fits over oxygen masks, and paced visual breathing cues help patients settle and accept the mask.
Gastroenterology
Anorectal manometry
Anorectal manometry is an uncomfortable and exposing test. VR gives patients something calm to focus on throughout.
Nasogastric tube insertion
VR helps reduce anxiety and discomfort, supporting calm breathing, cooperation and stillness during NGT insertion.
pH probe insertion
VR helps patients stay calm and still while the tube goes in.
Urology
Catheter insertion, flexible cystoscopy
VR can help patient relax during urology procedures like catheter insertion, flexible cystoscopy and VCUG.
Suprapubic catheter change
VR provides a calming, immersive focus during the change, helping patients feel more relaxed and supported.
Urinary catheterisation
VR helps patients stay calm and gives them a sense of privacy.
Urodynamics
VR helps patients stay comfortable and still during catheterisation and testing.
ENT and eye
Ear microsuction
The noise of microsuction and the need to hold still can be difficult. VR gives patients something calm to focus on.
Nasal and throat swabs
A short VR experience turns the procedure into something engaging and fun, helping children stay calm and cooperative.
Nasendoscopy
VR helps patients keep still so the clinician can see clearly.
Dental
Dental examinations
VR provides a calming, immersive focus throughout dental examinations, encouraging positive experiences with wellness checks.
Dermatology
Skin biopsy
VR provides a calming, engaging focus throughout, helping patients feel relaxed and supported.
Allergy
Allergen immunotherapy injections
Densensitisation injections are given regularly to reduce allergic reactions. VR helps make each injection more comfortable, and support long-term compliance.
Skin prick testing
Skin prick testing involves multiple small pricks that can cause itching and raised welts. VR helps reduce discomfort and anxiety during testing, and divert focus during the subsequent skin reactions and itch.
Gynaecology procedures
Breast biopsy and mammography
VR helps reduce pain and anxiety during breast imaging and biopsy, supporting relaxation and stillness during positioning, compression, and needle insertion.
Cervical biopsy
Lume helps reduce pain, anxiety and muscle tension during cervical biopsy, promoting relaxation and comfort throughout the examination and tissue sampling.
Colposcopy
Lume helps reduce anxiety and muscle tension during colposcopy, promoting relaxation and comfort throughout the examination and any biopsies, alongside other pain relief measures.
Endometrial biopsy
Lume helps reduce pain, anxiety and muscle tension during endometrial biopsy, supporting relaxation and comfort throughout tissue sampling as an adjunct to other pain relief options.
Hysterosalpingography (HSG)
Lume provides a calming, immersive focus throughout the procedure, helping patients relax and feel supported, alongside other pain relief tools.
Hysteroscopy
Lume provides a calming, immersive focus throughout the procedure, helping patients relax and feel supported, in conjunction with other analgesic options.
Speculum and internal examinations
Lume provides a calm, gentle focus, helping patients feel more grounded and supported while maintaining choice and control throughout the examination.
Vulval biopsy
Lume provides a calm, gentle focus, helping patients feel more grounded and supported while maintaining choice and control throughout the examination.
Sexual health
Contraceptive rod/implant insertion
Implant insertion involves a needle procedure in the upper arm. VR helps with anxiety and discomfort.
IUD insertion
IUD insertion can be painful, with limited analgesia options. Guided Meditations help reduce pain and anxiety during insertion.
Sexual health examinations
Sensitive, sexual health and forensic examinations can feel vulnerable or overwhelming. Lume provides a calm, gentle focus, helping patients feel more grounded and supported while maintaining choice and control throughout the examination.
Obstetrics and fertility
Amniocentesis and CVS
VR provides an immersive, calming focus during the test, helping reduce needle-related anxiety and procedural stress.
Early labour
Guided meditations help with coping in early labour, and induction of labour, to support women in the stage before active labour begins.
Egg retrieval
Egg retrieval is often done under sedation, but VR can provide calm support and reduce anxiety pre-and-post procedure.
External cephalic version
VR provides a calming, immersive focus, helping women physically relax and feel supported throughout the procedure.
Fertility injections and blood tests
Fertility treatment can involve many procedures and a lot of stress. VR complements other analgesic options through treatment.
Labour and delivery
VR complements other psychological and pain releif options during delivery, offering calm and focus.
Membrane sweep (stretch and sweep)
VR helps reduce pain, anxiety and muscle tension, promoting relaxation and comfort alongside other pain relief measures.
Perineal repair
VR provides a calm, restorative focus during perineal repair, helping women downregulate, relax and reset after the intensity of birth.
Post-partum recovery
Nurture Therapy supports rest and recovery after birth.
Pregnancy loss
Manual vacuum aspiration
Lume’s restorative scenes provide a calm, gentle focus, helping patients feel supported throughout this emotionally challenging experience.
Pregnancy loss management
Pregnancy loss is an emotionally difficult time. Sensitive guided meditations give a gentler focus during care and procedures.
Smileyscope and Lume are therapeutic virtual reality medical devices designed to support patient comfort and reduce procedural pain and anxiety. Described applications and potential benefits may vary depending on the patient, procedure and clinical setting. VR is intended to complement, not replace, standard clinical care, including appropriate analgesia, anaesthesia and sedation. Use is at the discretion of the treating clinician, based on individual patient needs and clinical circumstances. Clinical outcomes may vary.
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