Comparison

AR Needle Guide vs IR4U

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

AR Needle Guide

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This is an augmented reality (AR) software to assist computed tomography (CT) guided procedure. An AR coordinate system is presented based on the position of laser apertures, allowing the virtual protractor to be displayed at the desired coordinates. In addition, the inclination angle of the puncture needle recognized by the iPhone camera is measured in a non-contact manner and displayed in real time. § User Manual 1. Setting coordinate system Scan the feature points around the CT scanner with your iPhone or iPad to stable spatial anchor. "Anchor" at the left laser aperture of CT. Set laser aperture in the center target scope of the screen and press "Anchor" button to set spatial anchor. Then, anchor at the right laser aperture. Default Z-offset of scan plane is 300mm headward from the midpoint of the two laser apertures. The coordinate origin is set at the left upper corner of CT field of view (FOV). Size of FOV and Z-offset can be configured with preferences button ("Gear" button). When the coordinate system deviates from the actual space, press "Reset Anchor" button to reconfigure the coordinate system. 2. Determination of puncture position A virtual protractor is initially displayed at 1m caudal to the scanning isocenter (z -1000mm). The virtual protractor can be moved in the CT scan plane (XY-plane) with one finger, and along to the Z-axis direction with two fingers. Alternatively, coordinates can be entered directly with "Input Target" button. When the CT gantry is tilted to perform a procedure, the angle of the virtual protractor can be also tilted with three fingers. The Z coordinate of the center of the tilted plane including the center of the virtual protractor is displayed, which can be used to determine the scaning position. Pinch in and out with two fingers to change the size of the virtual protractor. 3. Puncture needle tracking For some specific puncture needles, the tilt and roll angles are displayed as they are recognized from the camera. Tilting was defined according to the tilting of the CT gantry so that rolling would match the angle measured in the CT images. The following biopsy needles are currently supported. • TEMNO Evolution (Merit Medical) • STARCUT (TSK Laboratory, back side only) • BARD MISSION (BD) • Quick-Core (Cook Medical) • “KAKENHI” sticker (purple color) Turn on LED torch of iPhone to improve the accuracy of needle tracking.

About

IR4U

This platform offers educational resources and interactive features for learning about interventional radiology. It provides case studies, courses, presentations, and study materials, connecting users with experts in the field.

Highlights
  • Field Level Case Studies
  • Interactive Expert Chat
  • IR Courses
  • Presentations
  • Study Material
  • Expert Reviews
Features
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IR4U, "Interventional Radiology 4U," is a dedicated online platform designed to cater to a wide audience, including medical students, healthcare professionals, and the general public. The brainchild of Dr. Ram Kishore Gurajala MD, IR4U was born out of a visionary idea to create an educational website that democratizes access to knowledge. Dr. Gurajala's passion for radiology and his commitment to breaking down financial barriers have led to the creation of this invaluable resource. IR4U's mission is to empower individuals by providing them with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in interventional radiology. Through its user-friendly interface and rich content offerings, IR4U aims to bridge the gap between medical education and practice, making high-quality medical education accessible to all. As a prestigious and user-centric resource, IR4U continues to evolve and expand its offerings, staying true to its founder's vision of advancing interventional radiology education and fostering a community of informed healthcare professionals and enthusiasts. Whether you are a medical student embarking on your educational journey or an experienced healthcare professional seeking to broaden your knowledge, IR4U welcomes you to explore its comprehensive and enriching world of interventional radiology. Key Features of IR4U Field Level Case Studies: IR4U offers a comprehensive collection of real-world case studies in the field of interventional radiology. These cases provide a valuable learning experience, allowing users to explore various medical scenarios and treatment approaches. Interactive Expert Chat: The platform includes a chat feature that enables users to directly communicate with experienced experts in the field of interventional radiology. This interactive element fosters knowledge sharing and facilitates discussions on complex medical topics. IR Courses: IR4U hosts a range of educational courses related to interventional radiology. These courses are designed to cater to different levels of expertise, from beginners to advanced practitioners, ensuring that learners can acquire the knowledge and skills they need. Presentations: Users can access a repository of presentations on interventional radiology topics. These presentations serve as valuable resources for both learning and reference purposes, making it easier for individuals to grasp complex concepts. Study Material: IR4U provides a wealth of study materials, including articles, research papers, and reference guides. These resources are curated to support in-depth learning and research within the field of interventional radiology. Expert Reviews: The platform boasts endorsements and reviews from experts in the field, highlighting the credibility and usefulness of IR4U as a reputable source of information in the domain of interventional radiology.

Screenshots

AR Needle Guide4 screens
IR4U4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: AR Needle Guide at 3 against IR4U's 1. AR Needle Guide also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AR Needle Guide ships an update monthly, IR4U every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
AR Needle Guide versus IR4U: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAR Needle GuideIR4U
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size89 MB36 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperKazufumi SuzukiIR4U

In-app purchases

None

AR Needle Guide

No in-app purchases

None

IR4U

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AR Needle Guide free?
AR Needle Guide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is IR4U free?
IR4U is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do AR Needle Guide or IR4U have ads?
Neither AR Needle Guide nor IR4U shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AR Needle Guide or IR4U?
AR Needle Guide ships an update monthly, and IR4U every 3 weeks. Most recently, AR Needle Guide was updated on October 12, 2026 and IR4U on October 17, 2026.

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