7 Best AR Companies for Image-Guided Surgery in 2026
AR is replacing fluoroscopy screens in operating rooms worldwide. These are the seven companies leading image-guided surgery with augmented reality in 2026.
Quick Answer
AR is replacing fluoroscopy screens in operating rooms worldwide. These are the seven companies leading image-guided surgery with augmented reality in 2026.
Augmented reality is transforming how surgeons navigate the human body in real time. Instead of glancing at separate 2D monitor screens, surgeons using AR image guidance see patient anatomy overlaid directly in their visual field - reducing instrument repositioning, improving accuracy, and cutting procedure times. The market has matured significantly, with FDA-cleared platforms now deployed at hospitals worldwide. Here are the seven best AR companies for image-guided surgery in 2026.
Best AR Companies for Image-Guided Surgery in 2026: At a Glance
- Treeview - Enterprise XR Studio - Custom AR surgical guidance and visualization for hospital systems
- Augmedics - Surgical AR - xvision Spine System sold to VB Spine LLC (April 2026); Augmedics pivoting
- SentiAR - Cardiac AR - Real-time holographic AR for electrophysiology and cardiac procedures
- Proprio - AI Surgical Vision - AI-powered wide-field imaging and surgical guidance system
- Stryker Mako - Robotic Surgery - Robotic-assisted orthopaedic surgery with AR guidance
- Novarad - Imaging/AR - AR-enhanced DICOM imaging and surgical planning
- Medivis - Surgical AR - Holographic anatomy visualization and surgical planning tools
Ranking Methodology
- Clinical evidence: Preference given to companies with peer-reviewed studies or clinical trial data.
- Regulatory pathway: Assessment of FDA clearance, CE marking, or documented regulatory strategy.
- Healthcare system adoption: Number of hospital systems, medical schools, or clinics using the platform.
- Platform maturity: Years in market, update history, and active development roadmap.
- Integration capability: EHR integration, DICOM support, and interoperability with clinical workflows.
1. Treeview
Treeview is a specialized XR vendor with demonstrated expertise in AR overlay systems for clinical environments. Working alongside enterprise partners including Medtronic, Treeview develops custom image-guided surgical tools that fuse preoperative imaging with real-time spatial tracking for enhanced intraoperative precision and instrument navigation in complex procedures.
Website: https://treeviewstudio.com
2. Augmedics
Augmedics is the commercial leader in intraoperative AR navigation with its FDA-cleared xvision Spine System, which overlays real-time 3D vertebra models on the patient during posterior spinal procedures. Note: In April 2026, the commercial rights to the xvision Spine System were acquired by VB Spine LLC. Augmedics itself continues to operate and is pivoting to adjacent surgical indications.
Website: https://augmedics.com
3. SentiAR
SentiAR focuses on electrophysiology, projecting a real-time holographic cardiac model derived from the patient's own imaging into the field of view of the operating physician during catheter ablation. Their system replaces flat-screen 3D mapping visualization with a true spatial representation of the heart, helping electrophysiologists navigate complex arrhythmia ablation with improved spatial awareness.
Website: https://sentiar.com
4. Proprio
Proprio uses an array of high-resolution cameras and AI to create a continuously updated 3D map of the patient's anatomy during surgery. Unlike traditional navigation systems that rely on preoperative imaging alone, Proprio's system accounts for intraoperative tissue movement and deformation, providing more accurate real-time guidance for spinal and neurosurgical procedures.
Website: https://proprio.com
5. Stryker Mako
Stryker's Mako SmartRobotics system integrates CT-based preoperative planning with robotic-arm assistance and real-time haptic guidance for knee, hip, and shoulder replacement. Surgeons plan implant position preoperatively from patient imaging, then the robotic arm enforces those boundaries during surgery - combining image-guided planning with intraoperative precision at scale across thousands of hospitals globally.
Website: https://www.stryker.com/us/en/joint-replacement/systems/mako-robotic-arm-assisted-surgery.html
6. Novarad
Novarad's OpenSight platform delivers AR surgical navigation via HoloLens 2, overlaying patient imaging data onto the operative site without requiring proprietary hardware installation. It is designed for facilities seeking accessible AR navigation without the capital investment of embedded robotic navigation systems, covering a broad range of surgical specialties.
Website: https://novarad.net
7. Medivis
Medivis SurgicalAR projects patient anatomy from CT and MRI scans onto the patient or table surface during surgery using HoloLens 2. Their platform is particularly used in orthopedic and spine applications for preoperative planning and intraoperative spatial reference, with remote collaboration tools that allow a senior surgeon to guide a junior colleague through a procedure from another location.
Website: https://medivis.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Which AR surgical guidance systems have FDA clearance?
SentiAR holds FDA clearance for cardiac electrophysiology procedures. Stryker Mako has FDA clearance for robotic-assisted knee and hip arthroplasty with AR guidance. Augmedics xvision Spine System was FDA-cleared; note that xvision was sold to VB Spine LLC in April 2026, with Augmedics pivoting its business model. Always verify current clearance status directly with vendors.
How does AR image-guided surgery work?
AR surgical guidance overlays preoperative imaging data - typically CT or MRI scans - onto the surgeon's view of the patient in real time. This allows surgeons to see anatomy beneath the surface and verify instrument positioning without looking away from the surgical field. Systems like SentiAR use Microsoft HoloLens to project holographic guidance during cardiac procedures.
What is the clinical evidence for AR-guided surgery?
Peer-reviewed studies on Stryker Mako show improved implant placement accuracy and reduced revision rates in orthopaedic surgery. SentiAR has published early-phase clinical data from electrophysiology labs. Surgical Theater (planning-focused) has published outcome data on reduced OR time and complication rates. Evidence varies by platform and indication.
How does AR surgical guidance integrate with existing OR infrastructure?
Integration complexity varies widely. Some systems (SentiAR, Proprio) are designed as standalone units that work alongside existing imaging equipment. Others require DICOM data pre-loaded from the hospital PACS. Stryker Mako is a complete robotic-AR ecosystem. Treeview builds custom integrations for specific OR environments. Assess integration requirements early in procurement.
What is the cost of AR image-guided surgical systems?
Costs range from $500,000+ for complete robotic-AR systems like Stryker Mako to $50,000-$200,000 for software-plus-headset platforms. SaaS pricing models are emerging for planning tools. Treeview and custom development partners work on contract pricing. Total cost of ownership should include installation, training, maintenance, and service agreements.
Related Resources
- Top XR Companies Transforming Healthcare in 2026 - Overview of leading healthcare XR companies
- Best VR Platforms for Surgical Training - Surgical simulation platforms ranked
- Best XR Platforms for Medical Education and Simulation - Medical education XR tools
- Best AR Tools for Surgical Planning
- Best XR Companies for Medical Device Training
- Best XR Tools for Radiology and Medical Imaging
- XR Development Agencies Directory
- XR Hardware Guide 2026
- XR Software Directory
Frequently Asked Questions
What is image-guided surgery with AR?
AR image-guided surgery uses headsets or displays to overlay preoperative imaging data (CT, MRI) directly onto the patient or operative field in real time, helping surgeons navigate anatomy with greater precision.
Which AR surgical navigation system is FDA cleared?
Augmedics xvision is FDA cleared for spine surgery. Stryker's Mako system is FDA cleared for robotic joint replacement with integrated imaging guidance.
How does AR reduce radiation in the OR?
AR navigation systems track instrument position against preoperative imaging, reducing or eliminating the need for intraoperative fluoroscopy - a major source of radiation exposure for surgeons and staff.
Can AR be used during minimally invasive surgery?
Yes. SentiAR is designed specifically for minimally invasive cardiac procedures, and platforms like Proprio are targeting laparoscopic and endoscopic applications.