A U.K. firm has developed a system that uses Microsoft's HoloLens augmented reality (AR) headset as part of an "augmented surgical system" that it believes could be used to aid surgeons during minimally invasive procedures by giving them a 3D interactive perspective of the inside of a patient.
Cambridge Consultants has been showcasing an example of its augmented surgical system to demonstrate how it could lower the risk of surgeries and lead to better patient outcomes. The system could be used with minimally invasive procedures, in which surgeons make a small incision in the patient and insert diagnostic and therapeutic devices.
An example of Cambridge Consultants augmented reality. Image courtesy of Cambridge Consultants.The company believes its technology could provide a real-time 3D interactive perspective to guide surgeons in a way not previously possible using augmented reality in the form of the HoloLens AR headset.
"AR has the potential to fundamentally change the surgical experience by giving the surgeon a new dimension of information in an easy-to-use way," said Simon Karger, head of surgical and interventional products at Cambridge Consultants. "While today's platforms still need to mature before they are ready for clinical deployment, it is clear to us that the underlying technology holds great promise for critical applications like surgery."
Cambridge Consultants recently unveiled Axsis, a small surgical robot that can use instruments only 1.8 mm in diameter. Axsis could be used for procedures like cataract surgery, according to the company.
