Surgeon Dr. Mark Schultzel explores how AI-driven solutions are improving operational efficiency and delivering better care
By: Dr. Mark Schultzel
Strategic innovation in orthopedic surgery is not just about adopting the latest technology—it’s about improving outcomes, reducing complications, and enhancing the patient experience. With the rise of spatial computing and artificial intelligence (AI), orthopedic surgeons now have access to tools that improve precision, streamline workflows, and ultimately deliver better, more efficient care.
Why innovate in the OR?
Healthcare is historically conservative when it comes to investing in AI and cutting-edge technologies. However, the landscape is evolving, and technological advancements now offer unparalleled opportunities to reduce complications and comorbidities, optimize surgical duration, and accelerate recovery times—attracting both surgeons and patients. The question is no longer if innovation should happen, but how quickly we can integrate these advancements to improve patient care.
AI and Spatial Computing Applications
There are various aspects of orthopedics where AI and spatial computing can play a role in driving efficiency, including preoperative planning, intraoperative execution, and postoperative management. By leveraging real-time AI insights, hospitals and surgical centers can ensure optimal OR utilization, reduced delays, and improved patient throughput, ultimately driving higher revenue and better patient care.
Below are a few examples and the resulting benefits:
1. Arthroscopy: AI-powered AVP (Augmented Visual Perception)
- Reduces reliance on external monitors
- Creates an immersive surgical experience with real-time AI-driven visualization
- Enhances depth perception and precision, minimizing risks and improving outcomes
2. Arthroplasty: AI-driven 3D Templating
- Uses 3D modeling and AI algorithms to ensure optimal implant selection
- Improves preoperative planning accuracy with AI-driven simulations
- Reduces variability in surgical techniques, leading to more consistent patient outcomes
3. Scheduling Optimization
- Predicting OR demand and optimizing case scheduling
- Reducing administrative burden for surgical teams
- Ensuring OR time is used efficiently, preventing last-minute cancellations or delays
4. Teaching & Training: POV Surgery for Trainees
- Enhances surgical education with real-world immersive perspectives
- Enables trainees to experience procedures in real-time through a surgeon’s point of view (POV)
- AI-driven procedure analysis helps refine training and improve learning outcomes
The Future of AI and Spatial Computing in Surgery
The integration of AI, augmented reality (AR), and spatial computing is reshaping how orthopedic procedures are performed. By enabling more precise, efficient, and data-driven surgeries, these technologies pave the way for a future where:
- Surgical complications decrease due to enhanced visualization and precision
- AI-assisted decision-making improves patient-specific treatment plans
- Procedural efficiency increases, reducing strain on healthcare systems
The operating room of the future will be AI-powered, data-driven, and immersive. Solutions like Qventus AI are already proving how automation, predictive analytics, and AI-driven optimization can transform OR workflows, ensuring that surgeons can focus on what matters most—delivering exceptional patient care.
