By Jamie Allen
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health is now offering spine surgery using the Augmedics xvision Spine System, a groundbreaking augmented reality (AR) guidance system that allows surgeons to “see through” a patient’s anatomy as if they have “x-ray vision.”
“The xvision Spine System is the first AR guidance system to be used in surgery and we are excited to offer this to our patients at Metro Health,” said Dr. Ronald Grifka, Chief Medical Officer, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health. “xvision is groundbreaking technology that we feel will be a real game changer for our patients.”
Similar to a real-time GPS technology, this “see-through” surgery allows surgeons to know exactly where to place implants in a patient’s unique spine anatomy, bringing a new standard of personalization and care to the operating room. The xvision Spine System is different from other image guidance systems, as it allows surgeons to maintain their focus directly on the patient, rather than searching for a distant screen displaying the patient’s anatomy.
“It utilizes a heads up retina display similar to military fighter jet technology allowing the surgeon to visualize the patient’s anatomy through the skin as if they have x-ray vision,” said Dr. John Keller, Neurosurgery Section Chief, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.
The xvision Spine System consists of a transparent near-eye-display headset and all the elements of a traditional navigation system. It accurately determines the position of surgical tools, in real-time, and superimposes them on the patient’s CT images. The navigation data is then projected onto the surgeon’s retina using the headset, allowing him or her to simultaneously look at both the patient and the navigation data. The xvision Spine System is designed to revolutionize how surgery is done by giving the surgeon better visualization and control, which may lead to safer, easier and more efficient surgical procedures.
“xvision allows our surgeries to be more efficient and more precise,” said Grifka. “I think it will add real benefits to patients and patient care. This is the future of surgery.”
Keller successfully performed his first surgery using xvision on Monday, Sept. 21. There are currently three surgeons who operate at Metro Health who have been trained and are actively using the system.
