Virtual Reality System and Method for Treating Medical Condition in User

Abstract

A virtual reality system including a virtual reality headset with a display unit configured to display a three-dimensional virtual reality environment. The virtual reality headset includes a processor and a memory to display the three-dimensional virtual reality environment on the display unit. The virtual reality system is useful for providing a simulation for completing a medical-mission to eliminate a virtual-representation of a medical condition associated with a user.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A virtual reality system for treating a medical condition in a user to improve mental wellbeing and psychological reactions after being diagnosed with the medical condition, the system comprising:
 a virtual reality headset configured to be worn by the user having a display unit configured to display a three-dimensional virtual reality environment;   a processor operably connected to the virtual reality headset, wherein the processor is configured to execute commands for performing a multimedia interaction with the three-dimensional virtual reality environment and to display the multimedia interaction on the display unit such that the user is able to interact with the three-dimensional virtual reality environment;   an avatar representing the user and enabling the user to virtually interact with the three-dimensional virtual reality environment;   wherein the three-dimensional virtual reality environment is configured to provide a simulation for completing a medical mission, wherein the medical mission comprises a virtual-representation of the medical condition associated with the user and requires the user to interact with the virtual-representation of the medical condition by controlling the avatar;   wherein the medical mission comprises the avatar having a transportation vehicle for traveling to a location within the three-dimensional virtual reality environment.   
     
     
         2 . The virtual reality system of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller in communication with the virtual reality headset and configured to provide controls for performing the multimedia interaction within the three-dimensional virtual environment. 
     
     
         3 . The virtual reality software system of  claim 1 , wherein the virtual reality headset further includes a microphone to provide a voice recognition system permitting the user to perform the multimedia interaction with the three-dimensional virtual environment. 
     
     
         4 . The virtual reality system of  claim 1 , wherein the avatar is personalized according to characteristics and the medical condition of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The virtual reality system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical condition comprises a physical illness. 
     
     
         6 . The virtual reality system of  claim 5 , wherein the medical condition comprises anxiety disorders associated with the physical illness. 
     
     
         7 . The virtual reality system of  claim 1 , wherein the multimedia interactions are configured to impart at least one sensory output selected from three-dimensional graphic visuals and audio. 
     
     
         8 . The virtual reality system of  claim 7 , wherein the virtual reality headset is in communication with an auditory output device for providing the audio to the user. 
     
     
         9 . The virtual reality system of  claim 1 , further comprising a memory operably connected to the virtual reality headset and configured to store a software providing the three-dimensional virtual reality environment to the virtual reality headset. 
     
     
         10 . The virtual reality system of  claim 1 , wherein the memory includes removable hardware. 
     
     
         11 . The virtual reality system of  claim 10 , wherein the removable hardware is a flash memory card. 
     
     
         12 . The virtual reality system of  claim 10 , wherein the virtual reality headset includes a port for receiving the hardware. 
     
     
         13 . The virtual reality system of  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional virtual reality environment is representative of an anatomy. 
     
     
         14 . The virtual reality software system of  claim 13 , wherein the anatomy is a virtual blood stream and the virtual-representation of the medical condition comprises blood cells within the virtual blood stream. 
     
     
         15 . The virtual reality system of  claim 1 , wherein the avatar is required to eliminate the virtual representations of the medical condition. 
     
     
         16 . The virtual reality system of  claim 1 , further comprising a weapons system accessible by the avatar, wherein the weapons system is adapted to allow the user to destroy the medical condition via a weapon from the weapons system. 
     
     
         17 . The virtual reality system of  claim 1 , further comprising a strength point system that provides a performance summary to the user when the medical mission is completed. 
     
     
         18 . A virtual reality system for treating a medical condition in a user to improve mental wellbeing and psychological reactions after being diagnosed with the medical condition, the system comprising:
 a virtual reality headset configured to be worn by the user having a display unit configured to display a three-dimensional virtual reality environment;   a processor operably connected to the virtual reality headset, wherein the processor is configured to execute commands for performing a multimedia interaction with the three-dimensional virtual reality environment and to display the multimedia interaction on the display unit such that the user is able to interact with the three-dimensional virtual reality environment;   an avatar representing the user and enabling the user to virtually interact with the three-dimensional virtual reality environment;   wherein the three-dimensional virtual reality environment is configured to provide a simulation for completing a medical mission, wherein the medical mission comprises a virtual-representation of the medical condition associated with the user and requires the user to interact with the virtual-representation of the medical condition by controlling the avatar;   wherein the three-dimensional virtual reality environment is representative of an anatomy.   
     
     
         19 . The virtual reality software system of  claim 18 , wherein the anatomy is a virtual blood stream and the virtual-representation of the medical condition comprises blood cells within the virtual blood stream. 
     
     
         20 . A method for using a virtual reality system, comprising:
 providing a virtual reality system comprising:
 a virtual reality headset having a display unit configured to display a three-dimensional virtual reality environment and a processor 
 configured to execute commands for performing a multimedia interaction with the three-dimensional virtual reality environment and to display the multimedia interaction on the display unit such that the user is able to interact with the three-dimensional virtual reality environment; 
 an avatar representing the user and enabling the user to virtually interact with the three-dimensional virtual reality environment; 
   interacting with the three-dimensional virtual reality environment with the avatar, wherein the three-dimensional virtual reality environment is configured to provide a simulation for completing a medical mission, wherein the medical mission comprises a virtual-representation of the medical condition the user and requires the user to eliminate the virtual-representation of the medical condition by controlling the avatar associated with the user, wherein the medical mission comprises the avatar having a transportation vehicle for traveling to a location within the three-dimensional virtual reality environment and eliminating the virtual representation of the medical condition;   controlling the avatar via a controller in communication with the virtual reality headset;   completing the medical-mission with the avatar to provide therapeutic relief to a user for a medical-condition.