The Apple Vision Pro came with many functions that most VR headsets cannot do, which opens several applications for the device. Its use in healthcare has become more apparent when doctors found a way to use it during a major surgery.
(Photo : eXeX)
Apple Vision Pro's Medical Application
The $3,500 price made it a little difficult for everyday people to acquire the device for themselves, but it might just be possible to get one as a surgical device in hospitals. A medical team from Cromwell Hospital in London just proved that it can be useful in operations.
During two spinal surgeries, medical practitioners found a way to utilize the AR/VR headset during preparations and managed to use it during the surgery as well. It provided them with virtual screens and helped monitor the progress of the surgery.
Although the doctors themselves weren't wearing the device, a scrub nurse wore the headset which helped with selecting the right tools for the procedures. A third-party software was added to the device to make it more suited to the situation at hand.
The software in question was developed by eXeX, a company that develops AI-driven apps specifically for surgeons, as reported by Gizmodo. With developers contributing more software for the Vision Pro, it's well on its way to becoming a more widely used medical device.
One of the surgeons who used the device, Syed Aftab said that working with eXeX to use the Apple Vision Pro "has made a huge difference to the way we deliver care to our patients," and that it was a privilege to be the first team in Europe to use the software in surgery.
It's important to understand how the AR/VR headset can also assist doctors on how to tackle surgical procedures. They can use augmented reality to view 3D models of the patient's anatomy to better understand the actions to be taken for the best outcome.
It's not just for Apple Vision Pro either. The eXeX software is also compatible with Microsoft's HoloLens. Cromwell Hospital Chief Operating Officer Kate Bovell said that eXeX "stands at the forefront of surgical technological advancements."
According to a press release, eXeX was founded back in 2022 and has been dedicated to optimizing surgical procedures for a safer and more efficient operation. Its current technology platform has already been used more than 1,500 times in several other hospitals in the UK.
"The successful proof of concept with the Apple Vision Pro is part of the company's ongoing commitment to develop hardware-agnostic solutions and will explore its ongoing use," which means we might see more applications of the AR/VR headset in the healthcare sector soon.
Read Also: Around 30% of Apple Vision Pro Users Return the Unit Due to Unfamiliar Technology
Opening Up Other Possibilities
With the use of the Apple Vision Pro in the medical field, especially surgery, it just goes to show how many applications there are for the headset, and how dedicated software or apps can help advance its utilization in other fields.
Such headsets could also be used for building planning and construction, not to mention engineering. Given that it can provide information in real space and real-time, it can make a huge difference in how professionals can operate in different settings.
Related: Mark Zuckerberg Throws Shade at Apple Vision Pro Again, Says Meta's Quest 3 is 'Better'
