First Spinal Surgery with Augmented Reality Headset Takes Place

he Nevada Spine Clinic in partnership with Dr. Poelstra and his practice has recently completed the first posterior lumbar fusion procedure on a patient using a combination of Medtronic’s Mazor X robotic platform integrated with Augmedics’ newly FDA-approved xvision.

Generally this is a lengthy procedure which can last anywhere between six and seven hours and is fairly invasive, however, using the latest technology from  xvision headset in tandem with the Mazor X robot brought the surgery time down to just under two hours.  

This is due to the xvision headset enabling the surgeon and their team to precisely identify and select where to place the implants, in this case a proprietary superalloy MoRe (Molybdenum-Rhenium) lower-profile 4.5mm rod, paired with the MiRusEuropa Pedicle Screw System. 

The orthopaedic and neurological spine surgeon prepared for the surgery by using the robotic platform to meticulously pre-plan the exact placement of the implant and screw system. 

Using the xvision platform allows the entire process to be as minimally invasive and exponentially more efficient by reducing the time spent in the operating room as well as decreasing the soft-tissue damage compared to that of an open approach, speeding up recovery and healing afterwards.

Once the planning and preparation is complete, the procedure is ready to go ahead. Dr. Poelstra placed on the xvision headset, overlaying the real world with augmented reality graphics. Dr. Poelstra then follows the three-dimensional anatomical blueprint created through use of the software beforehand.  

Dr. Poelstra was part of creating the Mazor, offered by Medtronic, and so has used the platform often for a less invasive procedure, increased efficiency, advanced precision, and rapidly reduces the time spent under anaesthesia in the operating room.  

Dr. Poelstra gained a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Groningen in The Netherlands, is on the front-line of the design and development of spinal robotics that assist in spinal fusions and has performed more than 1,000 complex robotic procedures.