Dr. John Dorman, a neurosurgeon and Vice Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Medical Center Hospital, has performed the first craniotomy using Apple’s latest augmented reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro.
“We are entering a new era of neurosurgery where technology and medicine intersect in the operating room,” Dr. Dorman said in a news release. “Using Apple Vision Pro, we can visualize a patient’s anatomy with exceptional clarity and make precise adjustments in real-time, resulting in enhanced outcomes for our patients.”
The Apple Vision Pro is Apple’s state-of-the-art augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) headset, combining visual, spatial, and computational intelligence to create an immersive experience. In the field of neurosurgery, these capabilities translate into unprecedented applications, enabling surgeons to visualize complex brain structures in three dimensions, superimpose images on to the patient’s anatomy in real-time, and potentially increasing the accuracy of delicate surgical maneuvers, all while remaining focused on the surgical field, the release said.
With the Apple Vision Pro’s immersive AR capabilities, Dr. Dorman can visualize images of patient’s brain directly without having to divert his attention from the surgical field. These images, which include MRI and CT scans, allow for seamless overlay onto the patient’s anatomy, providing increased spatial awareness and precision. This real-time visualization offers the potential for safer and more precise surgery, including the removal of tumors, hemorrhages, or other neurosurgical procedures.
“The ability to interact with high-resolution 3D models of a patient’s brain during surgery is invaluable,” Dr. Dorman explained. “We can navigate challenging areas of the brain with a new level of confidence.”
In addition to the images of the brain, Dr. Dorman envisions a future in which guidance tools can be incorporated into the field of view in enabling the surgeon to be even more precise compared to what is currently being done.
Dr. John Dorman is a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in trauma, neurosurgical oncology, and spine. With a commitment to using cutting-edge technology to improve patient outcomes, Dr. Dorman holds numerous patents in the field of surgical navigation and maintains a full-time neurosurgical practice.
