Ocutrx Unveils New DigiLoupes XR Headset for Medical and Surgical Applications

In Augmented Reality News 

Novmber 4, 2024 – Ocutrx Technologies, Inc., a provider of augmented reality (AR) and 3D technology for medical, enterprise, and gaming applications, recently announced the launch of its all-new ‘DigiLoupes’ headset for surgeons at AWE EU 2024 in Vienna.

Designed to replace traditional analog medical loupes (tools that are used by medical professionals to enhance their ability to visualize what cannot be seen by the naked eye), DigiLoupes provide surgeons with digital and extended reality (XR) features, including both surgical and preoperative imaging views, magnification, and digital equipment readouts. 

The patented new DigiLoupes headset features advanced AR, XR, and pancake lens technology and an ergonomic design that comes in two versions: one AR version with a Near-Eye Pupil-Forming Catadioptric Optical Engine; and one version named ‘PariVue’ that features two pancake lenses as the optical engine.

Ocutrx noted that pancake lenses were used since they provide high-quality optics in a compact package, allowing for the headset to be smaller and lighter, whilst still offering surgeons full peripheral vision and high-quality imagery.

“The new pancake lens technology that we’re building into one DigiLoupes version will offer an enhanced surgeon experience without sacrificing the high visual quality that our surgeon network has come to know and expect from Ocutrx AR/XR products,” said Michael Freeman, CEO of Ocutrx. “The DigiLoupes standalone headset and the ORLenz AR/XR headset used with the OR-Bot 3D Surgical Visualization Theatre provide dramatic improvements in healthcare ergonomics and 3D visualization, and we look forward to the immense benefits beyond surgical—for enterprise, manufacturing research, military, and gaming in the future as well.”

The headset also features tilt-up capability and see-around displays, offering surgeons a comprehensive and complete overview of a surgical site and surrounding area. Additionally, the programmable and wireless DigiLoupes foot pedal features adjustable magnification, variable illumination, adjustable brightness, saturation adjustment, and enhanced contrast control.

Dr. Leonel Hunt, an orthopedic spine surgeon and former head of spinal surgery at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, added: “The DigiLoupes solution provides better magnification, visualization, and illumination than current loupes—all hands-free. The ability to focus not just at the skin level, but also at bone, nerve, and tissue levels below without needing to move the patient is huge. It allows me to work, with full zoom and focus, without putting any instruments down. An additional bonus is the ergonomics; I can perform surgery with a healthy neck posture, which means I can be more efficient, conduct more surgeries, and care for more people.”

Ocutrx recently secured its 35th patent in the area of surgical and patient 3D visualization and stated that starting in November it will begin validation trials in Europe of its OcuLenz headset for low vision, including advanced macular degeneration. The company added that it is currently in the process of gaining FDA and CE certification for the DigiLoupes and ORLenz Surgical headsets, and the CE mark for the OcuLenz for low vision headset.

Ocutrx also noted that in addition to medical and surgical applications, it anticipates that its patents around its ‘OcuLenz’ and ‘ORLenz’ headsets could have applications for the manufacturing, aerospace, spaceflight, and gaming industries with its 3D visualization monitors and holographic imaging.

For more information on Ocutrx Technologies Inc. and its AR and XR medical and surgical solutions, please visit the company’s website.

Image credit: Ocutrx