Surgeons at London’s renowned Cromwell Hospital have achieved a historic milestone in surgical technology by incorporating Apple's cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) goggles, known as the Vision Pro, into an operation for the first time in the UK.
Led by consultant orthopaedic spinal surgeon Syed Aftab, the surgical team successfully repaired a patient's spine utilising the £2,700 Vision Pro headset.
The procedure hailed as a significant advancement in surgical technology, showcased the potential of augmented reality in the operating room.
During the operation, the surgical team, including a scrub nurse equipped with the VR device, used augmented reality to visualise crucial information in real-time.
The Vision Pro headset provided overlays of virtual screens onto the surgeon’s field of vision, enhancing precision and streamlining the surgical process.
The success of the operation has attracted interest from other healthcare institutions.
Two NHS trusts are already discussing with eXeX, the US-based company behind the AI software used with Apple’s VR technology.
The UK government’s Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has recently emphasised the importance of embracing AI in healthcare settings to enhance productivity and efficiency.
The integration of Apple’s Vision Pro headset aligns with this vision, offering a glimpse into the future of surgical technology in the UK.
Although the Vision Pro headset is not yet available in the UK, healthcare professionals anticipate its imminent arrival.
The underlying AI software records each stage of the operation and compares outcomes against similar procedures performed by other surgeons, further enhancing patient care quality.
Reflecting on the technology’s transformative potential, consultant orthopaedic spinal surgeon Syed Aftab expressed confidence in its ability to revolutionise surgical procedures and improve patient care across hospitals in the UK.
‘Working with eXeX to use the Apple Vision Pro has made a huge difference in delivering patient care. The software is seamless and has improved efficiency within the complex spine team. It's a real privilege to be the first team in the UK and Europe to use this software within surgery, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this technology advances and the impact it can have across hospitals in the UK.’
Cromwell Hospital’s partnership with eXeX, a leader in artificial intelligence and spatial computing for surgical organisation and workflow optimisation, underscores its commitment to innovation in healthcare delivery.
Kate Bovell, the hospital’s chief operating officer, said: ‘At Cromwell Hospital, we are committed to innovation and improving how healthcare is delivered to benefit all patients, whether through harnessing robotic or AI technology or using the latest, evidence-based approaches to deliver care. eXeX stands at the forefront of surgical technological advancements, and its philosophy for patient outcomes is inspiring. We are delighted to be working with them.’
The successful implementation of the Apple Vision Pro headset serves as a testament to the adaptability and versatility of eXeX’s software platform, which has already been utilised in over 1,500 surgeries in leading hospitals across both the UK and US.
