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. 2022 Oct;16(S2):S22-S27.
doi: 10.14444/8273. Epub 2022 Oct 20.

Augmented Reality in Spine Surgery: Current State of the Art

Augustus J Rush 3rd  1 , Nicholas Shepard  2 , Michael Nolte  3 , Krzysztof Siemionow  4 , Frank Phillips  3
Affiliations

Augmented Reality in Spine Surgery: Current State of the Art

Augustus J Rush 3rd et al. Int J Spine Surg. 2022 Oct.

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR) is the superimposition of a virtual environment on the real world. The use of AR in spine surgery continues to grow, with multiple companies and products becoming available. The proposed benefits of AR include decreased attention shift, decreased line-of-site interruption, opportunity for more minimally invasive approaches, decreased radiation exposure to the operative team, and improved pedicle screw accuracy. In this review, we examine our institutional experiences with utilization and implementation of some of the current AR products.

Keywords: 3D overlays; augmented reality; future technologies; heads-up navigation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: Frank Phillips has stock options from a company involved in the manufacturing of a device examined in this study.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Augmedics XVision headset.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Surgeon views through the XVision headset demonstrating virtual 3-dimensional projection and 2-dimensional cross-sectional navigation cuts. Jamshidi needle in place.
Figure 3
Figure 3
View from display screen demonstrating live screw representation on the 3-dimensional model of the spine as well as on cross-sectional imaging (similar images are seen by the operating team in the heads-up display).
Figure 4
Figure 4
(A) A 3-dimensional spine representation demonstrating new instrumentation and previous pedicle screw start points. (B) Cross-sectional imaging demonstrating the ability to actively change the trajectory of the new implant.
Figure 5
Figure 5
(A) Virtual 3-dimensional projection of the lumbar spine; virtual Jamshidi needle along with the orthogonal planes demonstrating placement of navigated needle. (B) Same cadaver specimen in prone position demonstrating the actual Jamshidi needle placement. Head to the left.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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