OrthoIndy Performs First Procedure Using Surgical Theater’s XR Technology

OrthoIndy has introduced augmented reality (AR) into its surgical procedures, leveraging Surgical Theater’s eXperiential Reality (XR) technology. OrthoIndy is one of five sites in the world where this advanced approach is being used.

Spine surgeon Gregory Poulter, M.D., recently performed a spinal fusion procedure using Surgical Theater’s SyncAR Spine platform. SyncAR Spine incorporates Microsoft HoloLens headsets for an enhanced visual experience, according to OrthoIndy. “Surgical Theater has the ability to change our interactions with patients, enabling a much deeper understanding of their medical issues and the procedures to address them,” Poulter said. “No current technology affords such clear and accessible insight for both patients in the clinic and surgeons in the operating room. This technology enables us to perform surgical procedures with accuracy, while minimizing incisions. The patient’s MRI-based surgical plan is displayed directly within the headset, guiding our actions with precision.”
 
The collaboration between OrthoIndy and Surgical Theater represents a significant step forward in both surgical visualization and patient involvement, OrthoIndy executives claim, as it allows Indiana patients to engage with and understand the surgical plan before undergoing their procedures. “Both the patient and I can view the plan. In the operating room, I can easily switch my view between the actual surgery and the XR guidance in the headset, ensuring constant focus on the procedure,” Poulter noted.
 
“Our partnership with OrthoIndy represents a significant milestone, emphasizing the collaborative spirit and mutual dedication that have been pivotal in enhancing the patient’s experience in spine surgery,” Surgical Theater President Alon Zuckerman said. “We are proud to work alongside such an organization [OrthoIndy], where our combined efforts are not only improving surgical outcomes but also instilling greater confidence and clarity for both surgeons and patients.” 
 
Founded more than 60 years ago, OrthoIndy is an orthopedic practices with over 100 physicians providing care to central Indiana residents from 12 locations. OrthoIndy provides bone, joint, spine and muscle care. OrthoIndy physicians also provide care to the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, and Andretti INDYCAR. 
 
Surgical Theater develops XR-based healthcare services and medical visualization in an effort to transform the surgical experience for both patients and medical professionals. Surgical Theater’s eXperiential Reality (XR) visualization platform is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and has been used more than 42,000 times for patient engagement, surgical planning, and enhanced visualization in the operating room. This platform allows surgeons to step into a patient’s diagnosis and walk inside an XR reconstruction of their anatomy. This walk through the pathology is proven to increase informed consent and improve patient engagement, education and communication, preoperative surgical planning, and intraoperative visualization.