Cambridge Consultants develops ‘X-ray vision’ surgery system
Product design and development company Cambridge Consultants is exploring how augmented reality (AR) could potentially be used in surgery to lead to better results for patients.
By using Microsoft’s HoloLens headset, Cambridge Consultants has developed an AR surgical system that allows surgeons to see inside a patient in real-time, while operating through minimally invasive openings. HoloLens is a headset that lets the user see holograms in real-time and in any location.
The system developed by Cambridge Consultants uses data visualisation to give surgeons easy access to patients records and operating information while they work.
Minimally invasive surgery is performed through tiny incisions and is often complex. The company’s AR system provides a real-time 3D interactive perspective of the inside of the patients, guiding the surgeon.
Simon Karger, head of surgical and interventional products at Cambridge Consultants said: “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. 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.
“This innovative development is the result of our extensive experience of surgical equipment innovation and our understanding of the operating theatre environment and workflow. It has the potential to enable more surgeons to carry out complex operations at lower risk and with better results for patients.”
Written by Reece Armstrong
