Neurosurgeons Become First in New Jersey to Use “X-Ray Vision” Technology in Spine Surgery

Two Hackensack University Medical Center neurosurgeons were the first in New Jersey to successfully perform advanced spine implant surgery using an augmented reality technology designed to see patient anatomy as if they had “X-ray vision”

Two Hackensack University Medical Center neurosurgeons were the first in New Jersey to successfully perform advanced spine implant surgery using an augmented reality technology designed to see patient anatomy as if they had “X-ray vision.”

In December 2023, two neurosurgeons at Hackensack University Medical Center became the first in New Jersey to perform advanced spine surgery using the Augmedics xvision Spine System®—joining an elite group of physicians across the nation who are using a leading-edge augmented reality (AR) navigation platform that provides an “X-ray vision” view of patient anatomy.

Since, the Hackensack neurosurgeons have used the system to treat more than 40 patients–achieving unparalleled outcomes.

Patrick A. Roth, M.D., chair of Neurosurgery at Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center and founding chair of Neurosurgery at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, and Roy D. Vingan, M.D., vice chair of Neurosurgery, co-director of Spine Surgery and chief of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center and assistant professor of Neurosurgery at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, successfully performed their first spinal implant surgery using the xvision Spine System.

“The xvision system is the first AR system that can be used for open and minimally invasive spine implant procedures,” said Dr. Roth. “We can see the patient’s anatomy through an AR headset, which means we can keep our eyes on the patient during the entire procedure while accessing critical information in the operating room that isn’t available on traditional X-rays.”

According to Dr. Roth, this enhanced intraoperative visualization allows spine surgeons to use the most minimally invasive techniques with the highest level of efficiency, safety, accuracy and control. As a result, there is a lower risk of complications sometimes associated with complex spine surgery procedures performed near critical neural and vascular structures.

“Instead of images being displayed on a distant screen, the xvision Spine System uses a transparent near-eye-display headset for navigation,” said Dr. Vingan. “The headset allows us to see the position of our surgical tools in real-time and superimpose them over a patient’s CT images—meaning we can look at the patient and the navigation data at the same time to precisely position our instruments.”

And both surgeons agree that the accuracy is unprecedented.

With a CT scan providing the necessary anatomic data the surgeon sees a detailed 3D model overlay of the patient’s spine through the custom headset in real-time – thus allowing them to simultaneously look at the patient’s anatomy and the AR image without having to redirect their attention to another screen during the surgery. This “X-ray-like” depiction shows exactly where to place the implants or screws.

“For patients, this technology translates to a more minimally invasive procedure, less pain and improved precision,” said Dr. Roth. “It also enhances safety for the patient, and for everyone in the operating room, due to reduced radiation exposure and shorter surgery times.”

Learn more about innovative neurological care at Hackensack University Medical Center.