Traditionally, surgeons have relied on pre-operative images, manual markings on the patient’s body, and their experience and skills to guide surgical procedures. However, these methods have inherent challenges. Static images cannot accurately represent the dynamic surgical environment as it change during the operation. Manual markings can be imprecise. And complex procedures have a steep learning curve for surgeons to master.
Moreover, these conventional techniques can extend the length of surgeries and increase the risk of complications for patients.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies are transformative solutions to these surgical navigation challenges. AR/VR applications provide real-time, 3D visualizations of the surgical area and overlay digital information onto the surgical site.
Source: MDPI
This technological leap allows for more precise surgical planning before the operation, more accurate guidance during the surgery itself, and better training opportunities. As a result, surgical procedures can be completed more quickly while improving patient outcomes.
Furthermore, AR/VR facilitates minimally invasive surgical approaches requiring a small incision. It enhances surgeon training by providing reactive environments in which to practice complex procedures. It aids patient education by giving patients a more intuitive understanding of what will happen during their own upcoming surgery.
This article explores five startups pioneering the integration of AR/VR into surgical navigation.
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1. NeuroNav offers precise real-time surgical tracking in AR
| Founding Year | 2020 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Total Funding Amount | £257K |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Seed Round/£23K |
| Website | neuronav.ai |
NeuroNav is building the first surgical navigation system capable of real-time precision tracking in Augmented Reality (AR). They develop platforms that use state-of-the-art stereoscopic vision, computer vision, and machine learning.
They aim to provide more portable and affordable solutions to enable access to safer neurosurgery for all. By 2025, they want to cover all surgical specialties. Their technology is developed within the National Health Service (NHS) but is deployable worldwide.
Ali Rezaei Haddad is the Founder and CEO of NeuroNav. He is a neurosurgical resident in London and an NHS Clinical Entrepreneur. He holds honorary research positions at the University of Oxford and St George’s Medical School.
NeuroNav has raised £257K in funding over two rounds. Nova Growth Capital is one of its main investors.
2. Wide Awake VR uses virtual reality for anesthesia
| Founding Year | 2021 |
| Headquarters | Michigan, United States |
| Total Funding Amount | $250K |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Seed round |
| Website | wideawakevr.com |
Wide Awake VR provides a virtual reality platform for patients during minor surgeries and uncomfortable medical procedures. They aim to replace the need for general anesthesia for simple surgeries and reduce the use of sedatives or opioids in anxiety-provoking medical procedures.
Their platform utilizes customized virtual reality content during surgery to divert attention from pain and eliminate the danger & expense of traditional anesthesia. This allows patients to relax and mitigate anxiety while undergoing minor surgeries.
David Wheeler is the Co-Founder and CEO of Wide Awake VR. He was a Senior Creative Director at Electronic Arts (EA) and Content Director for Vivendi/Universal. Under David’s creative leadership, projects have generated more than $2 billion in revenue.
Wide Awake VR has raised $250K in funding over two rounds. Michigan Rise and StartUp Health are the most recent investors.
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3. Hoth Intelligence uses AR for immersive medical training
| Founding Year | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Pennsylvania, United States |
| Total Funding Amount | $20K |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Grant/$20K |
| Website | hothintel.com |
Hoth Intelligence uses augmented reality and machine learning to improve how healthcare providers perform procedures. They are dedicated to reducing medical errors through their augmented reality software.
Their technology can be used for any operation where patients receive a CT or MRI scan. They also offer immersive training with their AR technology, allowing providers to visualize and practice on realistic, patient-specific 3D models before even touching an instrument!
Founded by Tyler Alexander and Jonathan Cohen, Hoth Intelligence has raised $20K in funding over two rounds.
Read More: Top 10 Medical Device Startups
4. AVATAR MEDICAL creates patient avatars for surgeons
| Founding Year | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Ile-de-France, France |
| Total Funding Amount | €8.7M |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Seed Round/€5M |
| Website | avatarmedical.ai |
AVATAR MEDICAL is a company that specializes in creating patient avatars to help surgeons visualize medical images. The platform generates 3D patient representations based on medical images in an interactive virtual reality context.
It offers clinicians an accurate and instantaneous understanding of their patient’s medical images, enabling them to access valuable clinical information. These patient avatars are instantly generated through CT scans or MRI images using their proprietary technology developed over four years of research.
The co-founder and CEO, Xavier Wartelle, has over 35 years of experience in launching, leading, and scaling start-ups in various sectors, including medtech.
AVATAR MEDICAL has raised €8.7M in funding over four rounds. Its most recent investors are Acorn Pacific Ventures and Cenitz.
5. UpSurgeOn builds life-like surgical simulations
| Founding Year | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Lombardia, Italy |
| Total Funding Amount | €4.2M |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Series A/€3M |
| Website | upsurgeon.com |
UpSurgeOn specializes in life-like surgical simulation and surgical assessment using VR/AR. The startup’s mission is to enhance the surgical abilities of trainees through ‘cadaver-free psychomotor skill augmentation,’ using hyper-realistic simulations and mixed reality to improve surgical skills.
Dr. Federico Nicolosi and Dr. Giannantonio Spena founded the company. In 2014, these two neurosurgeons marked a pivotal moment with the inaugural use of in-house virtual & 3D-printed models for preoperative planning. They published their inaugural scientific paper in 2015, introducing a novel method for utilizing 3D models and physical reconstructions in clinical cases.
UpSurgeOn has raised a total of €4.2M in funding over two rounds. Their latest funding was raised from a Series A round on Feb 2, 2022.
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Authored By – Hemanth Shenoy, Market Research
