The Apple Vision Pro has been used in a surgical operation once again, in a world first for the use of the VR headset in a procedure of its kind. It was used in a shoulder-joint replacement procedure.
The Apple Vision Pro was used to organise and manage a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, medical software maker eXeX said on Tuesday. The operation works by replacing the ball and socket joint in the shoulder, switching the positions to help improve muscle function.
Apple is aiming for the Vision Pro headset to be used in healthcare, including helping surgeons perform procedures on patients.
The shoulder surgery was performed by Dr G Russel Huffman, of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, at the AdventHealth Surgery Center Innovation Tower in Orlando, Florida. The surgical team was provided with data and visualisations that eXeX says were not previously available to them, increasing efficiency.
The Apple Vision Pro uses the Stryker personal protection system, which makes up the protective hood and gown worn by surgery participants.
The hood previously limited the use of mixed-reality headsets, but the Apple Vision Pro was small enough to fit and still be used without issue.
“This achievement is not just a milestone for eXeX but a leap forward for the entire medical industry,” said Dr Huffman.
“Our successful use of the Apple Vision Pro and the eXeX software in such a complex environment underscores our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in surgical procedures and patient care.”
The £2,700 Vision Pro headset was used for the first time last month, at the private Cromwell Hospital in London, to repair the spine of a male patient.
A scrub nurse working with the surgeon wore the device to help prepare, keep track of the procedure, and choose the appropriate tools.
Suvi Verho, lead scrub nurse at London Independent Hospital, had said the technology was a “gamechanger”, and that “it eliminates human error. It eliminates the guesswork”.
“It gives you confidence in surgery.”
