7 Best AR Tools for Surgical Planning in 2026
AR surgical planning tools are reducing complication rates and improving precision in the OR. These are the seven best platforms in 2026.
Augmented reality is fundamentally changing how surgeons prepare for and execute complex procedures. By overlaying patient-specific 3D anatomy directly onto the operative field, AR planning tools reduce guesswork, improve implant placement accuracy, and shorten procedure times. Several platforms have now received FDA clearance, marking AR surgical planning as a mainstream clinical tool rather than an emerging technology. Here are the seven best AR tools for surgical planning in 2026.
1. Treeview
Treeview is a specialized XR solutions provider with deep roots in medical visualization for enterprise clients. Partnering with organizations including Medtronic, Stanford Medicine, and Daiichi-Sankyo, Treeview develops custom AR surgical planning applications that integrate with existing clinical workflows and hospital imaging systems, delivering bespoke visualization tools built to each institution's specific anatomical and procedural requirements.
Website: https://treeviewstudio.com
2. Surgical Theater
Surgical Theater's Precision OR platform converts patient DICOM imaging into immersive 3D surgical environments used for preoperative planning and patient communication. Their holographic table lets surgical teams walk through a procedure step by step using photorealistic patient anatomy before entering the OR, dramatically reducing intraoperative surprises.
Website: https://surgicaltheater.com
3. Augmedics
Augmedics developed the xvision Spine System, the first FDA-cleared AR headset for spine surgery. It projects a real-time 3D holographic image of the patient's spine directly in the surgeon's line of sight during the procedure, enabling accurate pedicle screw placement without fluoroscopy. Deployed at over 80 hospitals in the US, it represents the most commercially adopted intraoperative AR platform available.
Website: https://augmedics.com
4. Proprio
Proprio builds an AI-powered surgical visualization platform that fuses multiple imaging modalities into a real-time 3D map of the patient's anatomy during surgery. Their system uses computer vision and spatial tracking to give surgeons a dynamic view of subsurface anatomy without additional radiation, targeting complex spine and neurosurgical procedures.
Website: https://proprio.com
5. Medivis
Medivis offers SurgicalAR, a platform that displays 3D anatomical models derived from patient CT and MRI scans on Microsoft HoloLens 2 during surgery. Their software is used by surgical teams for preoperative planning and intraoperative reference, with tools for segmentation, measurement, and real-time collaboration between surgeons in different locations.
Website: https://medivis.com
6. Novarad
Novarad provides AR-assisted surgical navigation through their OpenSight platform, which overlays 3D medical imaging data on the patient in real time during procedures. Their system supports a broad range of surgical specialties and integrates with standard imaging workflows, making AR navigation accessible to facilities without large-scale capital investment.
Website: https://novarad.net
7. SentiAR
SentiAR develops holographic surgical guidance for cardiac electrophysiology procedures, projecting a dynamic 3D model of the patient's heart anatomy floating in the operator's view during catheter ablation. Their system reduces reliance on flat 2D fluoroscopy screens, improving spatial orientation during complex cardiac mapping procedures.
Website: https://sentiar.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What AR tools are used for surgical planning?
Augmedics, Medivis, SentiAR, and Surgical Theater are the leading AR surgical planning platforms, offering 3D visualization from patient imaging data for preoperative and intraoperative use.
Is AR surgical planning FDA approved?
Augmedics xvision Spine System is FDA cleared. Medivis and SentiAR have received FDA breakthrough device designations for their respective platforms.
How does AR improve surgical outcomes?
AR overlays patient-specific anatomy directly in the surgeon's field of view, improving spatial accuracy, reducing radiation exposure from fluoroscopy, and enabling more precise implant placement.
Which specialties benefit most from AR surgical planning?
Spine surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and cardiac surgery see the greatest benefits from AR planning tools due to the complexity of anatomy and precision requirements.