Throughout 2024, technology giant Apple has played a role in several orthopedic and spine surgeries in a number of ways. For example, in February 2024, Robert Masson, MD, became the first spine surgeon to use Apple's Vision Pro into the operating room.
Here are 10 additional uses of Apple technology in musculoskeletal care in 2024:
1. John Dorman, MD, a neurosurgeon at Medical Center Health System in Odessa, Texas, began using the Apple Vision Pro AR headset for procedures in December. The headset combines visual, spatial and computational intelligence, allowing surgeons to visualize complex brain structures in three dimensions and superimpose images onto the patient's anatomy in real time. It also has the ability to display CAT scans during surgical procedures so surgeons do not have to repeatedly look at a different screen while operating.
2. A surgical team from the Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute and AdventHealth Surgery Center Innovation Tower in Orlando, Fla., became the first to use Apple Vision Pro in a total shoulder replacement surgery. The mixed reality system was used by surgical tech and projects digital images of instruments and the surgical workflow.
3. Bolt Navigation launched the next generation of its spine system. Bolt 2.0 uses the Apple iOS platform and has an enhanced user interface to streamline surgical workflows. The system is designed to minimize radiation exposure and increase precision.
4. Orthopedic surgeon James Chen, MD, a surgeon at DISC Sports and Spine Center in Newport Beach, Calif., is leveraging newer technologies including robotics, smart implants and digital care management to streamline administrative work and patient experiences. One of his key tools is mymobility, which integrates with the Apple Watch to remotely monitor patient movement and recovery. Dr. Chen uses the app to improve communication with patients by flagging the care team when to reach out to patients. The app also provides patients an additional resource with which to communicate with staff.
5. Orthopedic surgeon Sravan Dhulipala, MD, has launched OrthoScribe, an orthopedic-specific, AI-powered, live transcription and speech analysis product. Launched in partnership with AI-powered medical transcription and speech analysis product Hannibal AI, OrthoScribe is currently used by over 100 orthopedic surgeons. The application is available in the Apple store.
6. Bruno Gobbato, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Jaraguá Hospital in Brazil, became the first surgeon in that country to use the Apple Vision Pro during a shoulder arthroscopy in April.
7. Osso VR launched Apple Vision Pro apps for carpal tunnel release and total knee replacement. The apps allow surgeons to walk through key steps of the procedures using Apple Vision Pro's spatial computing, according to a news release. Osso VR's apps simulate medical procedures with high fidelity and integrate the operating room into physical spaces.
8. G. Russell Huffman, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopedic Institute, completed the first reverse total shoulder arthroplasty using the Apple Vision Pro. The procedure took place at AdventHealth Surgery Center Innovation Tower in Orlando, Fla.
9. Surgeons at London-based Cromwell Hospital became the first in the U.K. to use tech company Apple's Vision Pro headset during a spinal operation. The operation was performed by spine surgeons Fady Sedra, MD, and Syed Aftab, MD.
10. Robert Masson, MD, became the first spine surgeon to bring Apple Vision Pro into the operating room. Dr. Masson used Apple's headset as a logistics and organizational tool for several minimally invasive spine surgeries using eXeX software.