Levita Magnetics said that it conducted the world’s first surgical operations combining a 3D camera and augmented reality (AR) headset at Hospital Luis Tisné in Santiago, Chile.
The technology could help usher in the future of telesurgery and telementoring, expanding access to minimally invasive, robot-assisted surgeries for patients in remote locations — as well as public hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.
The Mountain View, California-based surgical robotics startup said it conducted 10 operations that combined the Levita Magnetics MARS (magnetic-assisted robotic surgery) system with a B. Braun Aesculap EinsteinVision 3D camera system and a Quest 3 AR headset from Meta, the parent company of Facebook.
Levita Magnetics founder, CEO and President Dr. Alberto Rodriguez-Navarro called it “a major leap forward in surgical visualization.”
“In surgery, viewing is everything,” he said in a statement shared with Medical Design & Outsourcing ahead of the announcement. “… The surgeon-controlled stable surgical view provided by the MARS robotic system enables us to incorporate augmented reality and 3D visualization, allowing for an unprecedented improvement in surgical view. Our goal is to empower the surgeon with the capabilities to provide a safer, faster, and more precise procedure. This is a real-world application of AR and 3D that will truly transform the way surgery is performed.”
Levita Magnetics announced its first use of the AR headsets with its MARS system in March 2024, and added the 3D camera for the latest cases. Combining the camera and headset gives surgeons high-definition visibility with “unparalleled depth perception,” the company said, allowing them to operate with more precise movement for faster, more efficient surgeries.
The Levita Magnetics MARS system was cleared by the FDA in 2023 for high-volume abdominal procedures such as laparoscopic bariatric, gallbladder (cholecystectomy), prostate, and colorectal surgeries. The AR and 3D camera integration is not yet cleared by the FDA.
When performing the surgeries, Rodriguez-Navarro could enlarge and reposition the camera’s view. He said he envisions the technology eventually displaying real-time vital signs, patient history, previous diagnostic images and other critical information within the virtual field.
In a statement, Chilean Vice Minister of Health Dr. Osvaldo Salgado said the combination of AR and robotic surgery “is a pioneering advancement in the public system in Chile and worldwide, allowing us to improve precision in abdominal surgeries.”
Levita Magnetics said it’s working on AI-powered, real-time surgery data analysis for improved interoperative decision-making and, eventually, surgical task automation.
“We believe that AI and augmented reality will soon become the standard in surgical practice, enhancing efficiency, reducing complications, and ultimately improving patient outcomes,” Rodriguez-Navarro said. “This technology is designed for a global impact, ensuring that the benefits of advanced surgery reach everyone, everywhere.”