Sam Brusco, Associate Editor02.11.21
Surgical Planning Associates (SPA) introduced its HipInsight augmented reality (AR) intra-operative guidance system for joint arthroplasty. The FDA granted SPA 510(k) clearance on January 28. Dr. Stephen B. Murphy, founder of SPA, performed the first total hip arthroplasty using HipInsight on February 4 at North Atlantic Surgery Suites in Salem, N.H. It was the first such surgery ever performed using an augmented reality system.
"Traditional navigation systems, robotics and interoperative imaging provide information on flat screens outside the surgeon's view of the patient, leaving the process disjointed and awkward," Dr. Murphy told the press. "The HipInsight system enables surgeons to stay focused on the patient, projecting holograms on AR glasses that effectively give them 'x-ray vision,' so that surgeons can see what they need to see, when they need to see it, right inside the patient's body."
HipInsight is the first FDA-cleared surgical guidance platform contained entirely within a head-mounted device, the Microsoft HoloLens 2. The platform combines cloud-based preoperative planning and virtual interoperative guidance, allowing more precision in the most critical operational aspects.
"It's amazing to be able to actually see the entire bony anatomy, implants and instruments inside the patient while you're operating," Dr. Daniel Ward of Longwood Orthopedic Associates, who assisted Dr. Murphy with the inaugural surgery, told the press. "This is the kind of technology surgeons have been striving for—when you try it for the first time, it's just a mind-blowing experience."
"What's remarkable about the HipInsight system is how natural it feels," said Dr. Grayson Connors of Excel Orthopaedics, who also assisted Dr. Murphy during the first surgery. "It's how you would operate if you actually had x-ray vision—you can see exactly what you need to do at all times, even if the patient shifts position on the table. This is a game-changer."
"Traditional navigation systems, robotics and interoperative imaging provide information on flat screens outside the surgeon's view of the patient, leaving the process disjointed and awkward," Dr. Murphy told the press. "The HipInsight system enables surgeons to stay focused on the patient, projecting holograms on AR glasses that effectively give them 'x-ray vision,' so that surgeons can see what they need to see, when they need to see it, right inside the patient's body."
HipInsight is the first FDA-cleared surgical guidance platform contained entirely within a head-mounted device, the Microsoft HoloLens 2. The platform combines cloud-based preoperative planning and virtual interoperative guidance, allowing more precision in the most critical operational aspects.
"It's amazing to be able to actually see the entire bony anatomy, implants and instruments inside the patient while you're operating," Dr. Daniel Ward of Longwood Orthopedic Associates, who assisted Dr. Murphy with the inaugural surgery, told the press. "This is the kind of technology surgeons have been striving for—when you try it for the first time, it's just a mind-blowing experience."
"What's remarkable about the HipInsight system is how natural it feels," said Dr. Grayson Connors of Excel Orthopaedics, who also assisted Dr. Murphy during the first surgery. "It's how you would operate if you actually had x-ray vision—you can see exactly what you need to do at all times, even if the patient shifts position on the table. This is a game-changer."