AFFORDABLE AUGMENTED REALITY FOR SPINE SURGERY: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION INTO IMPROVING VISUALIZATION AND SURGICAL ACCURACY
Authors: Aslam Iqra , Saeed Muhammad Jasim , Jahangir Zarmina , Zafar Kanza , Sattar Muhammad Awais 
Published: December 2024

The minimally invasive spine surgery, sometimes referred to as MISS, has changed spinal therapy by minimizing the length of time required for recovery, as well as the amount of worry and suffering that patients experience. Before we can consider the surgery to have been successful, there is a critical problem that has to be addressed. The use of augmented reality technology has been gaining traction over the course of the last few years as a method of improving the accuracy of MISS management. This research has a significant focus on the applications of augmented reality in minimally invasive spine surgery as its core investigation. The use of augmented reality (AR) technology, which supports medical professionals in performing difficult spine procedures, allows for the provision of real-time placement suggestions as well as information that is specific to the patient. This has a number of major benefits, some of which include improved vision, more accurate tool placement, and less problems. In order to include augmented reality into MISS, it was necessary to have a user interface that was easy to use, a data integration system that was comprehensive, and recording mechanisms that were reliable. It is necessary to make the necessary modifications to the registration process, delays, and physical issues before bringing it into clinical practice. This procedure must be completed before it can be implemented. In the context of this research project, an application for smartphones that is integrated with augmented reality is currently being created with the purpose of boosting minimally invasive spine surgery. "The innovation of this research is the creation of a mobile AR interface that bridges the gap between accessibility and high-quality surgical visualization tools, offering an alternative to traditional AR systems." This AR smartphone application is the first of its type to combine cost, accessibility, and sophisticated visualization features, resulting in a whole new approach to surgical help that is unlike any other surgical procedure.Using Unity3D, the Vuforia AR camera, and C#, the software is able to create an augmented reality (AR) experience for mobile devices. This objective is realized via the utilization of these three components. Technology that are regarded to be industry standards include HoloLens and head-mounted displays (HMDs), which are examples of augmented reality technology. On the other hand, the vast majority of people are unable to make use of them because of the tremendous cost that they carry. When it comes to visualizing three-dimensional MRI spine pictures, this technology offers an approach that is more efficient and economical. Taking into consideration the results of this study, it would seem that surveys and formal evaluations that make use of MISS and augmented reality might possibly be beneficial. By using augmented reality (AR), medical practitioners may be able to more effectively see important structures, plan surgical operations, and identify the required equipment, which may eventually result in improved patient outcomes. Increasing the capabilities of augmented reality technology, finding new uses for it, and incorporating artificial intelligence-driven decision improvement are the goals of the researchers.