FDA approves HoloLens powered medical augmented reality system

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HoloLens might be about to make surgical procedures a whole lot different.

Microsoft's HoloLens is an incredible piece of technology with a number of real world applications and the FDA has recently approved a system for medical use.

It concerns the OpenSight Augmented Reality System, a platform designed for HoloLens to help surgeons plan procedures using the headset.

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OpenSight specifically utilizes the Microsoft HoloLens headset that allows simultaneous visualization of the 3D patient images in AR and the actual patient and their real-world surroundings. The technique may decrease operative times and improve surgical planning and the understanding of anatomic relationships.

HoloLens allows not only a single user, but an entire group, to view a patients medical images laid onto their body in real time, as well as having implications for training. The system can also enable the surgeons to view an accurate internal representation of their patients without the need to open them up.

Medical students can use the system to perform practice procedures, too, and while HoloLens remains an extremely expensive device, its potential uses continue to impress.

Richard Devine
Richard Devine
Managing Editor

Richard Devine is the Managing Editor at Windows Central, where he combines a deep love for the open-source community with expert-level technical coverage. Whether he’s hunting for the next big project on GitHub, fine-tuning a WSL workflow, or breaking down the latest meta in Call of Duty, Forza, and The Division 2, Richard focuses on making complex tech accessible to every kind of user. If it’s happening in the world of Windows or PC gaming, he’s probably already knee-deep in the code (or the lobbies). Follow him on X and Mastodon.