Dr. Harshpal Singh Among The First in New Jersey to Perform Augmented Reality (AR) Guided Spine Surgery

Augmented reality headset gives surgeons “x-ray vision” during procedures for accurate and personalized implant placement while keeping their eyes on their patients

Dr. Harshpal Singh is among the first surgeons in the state to perform spine surgery with 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 is currently approved for use in open and minimally invasive spine implant procedures.

Similar to a real-time GPS, this “see-through” surgery lets surgeons know exactly where to place implants in a patient’s unique anatomy, and is 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 on a distant screen displaying the patient’s anatomy.

“As one of the first surgeons in New Jersey to use augmented reality in spine surgery, I am incredibly honored to bring this advanced technology to our patients,” said Dr. Singh. “The remarkable efforts by Augmedics have made it possible to enhance surgical precision and improve patient care.” Dr. Singh is a board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeon, with several thousand spine cases under his belt. The procedure, a lumber spinal decompression and fusion, was performed at Hackensack University Hospital.

The xvision Spine System consists of a transparent near-eye-display headset and all 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 data. 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 control and visualization, which may lead to easier, faste, and safer surgeries.