# Augmented Reality Glasses for Guiding Surgeons > This patent describes a head-mounted augmented reality display, like smart glasses, specifically designed to help surgeons by overlaying digital patient data and markers directly onto their view of the patient during medical procedures. - **Patent:** US 12069233 - **Original title:** Head-mounted augmented reality near eye display device - **Owner:** Augmedics - **Granted:** 2024 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 14 - **Field:** medical, software, consumer_electronics, augmented_reality, biotech ## What it does The device is a head-mounted display, such as smart glasses or a helmet (claims 2, 3), worn by a user, likely a surgeon. It features two optical combiners, one for each eye, that allow the user to see through them to the real world, including a "portion of a region of interest of a patient" (claim 1). Simultaneously, two micro-projectors display digital images from a database onto these combiners. Lenses then make these projected images appear in focus at about 50 cm, seemingly floating in the real world (claim 1). An infrared sensor tracks physical markers placed near the patient's area of interest, allowing the system to accurately align the digital information with the real anatomy (claim 1). For example, a surgeon could see a 3D model of a patient's spine overlaid precisely on the patient's back during a spinal fusion surgery. ## What it does NOT cover - Augmented reality displays not specifically configured to facilitate a medical procedure. - Head-mounted AR devices that do not include an infrared sensor for tracking markers near a patient's region of interest. - AR systems where the projected image is not adapted to be in focus at approximately 50 cm. - AR displays where the optical combiners cannot tilt downwards at an angle of up to 40 degrees from horizontal. - General AR glasses used for gaming, navigation, or industrial maintenance outside of medical procedures. ## The clever bit The novelty lies in combining the specific optical arrangement for near-eye projection (focused at 50 cm) with the ability to tilt the optical combiners and the use of an infrared sensor to track physical markers, all tailored for precise overlay during medical procedures. This allows for accurate, hands-free guidance in a sterile environment. ## Real-world examples 1. Augmedics xvision Spine System 2. Surgical navigation systems 3. Augmented reality for medical training 4. Head-mounted displays for interventional radiology ## Why it matters This patent is significant for the field of surgical navigation and medical imaging. By directly overlaying critical patient data, like CT scans or surgical plans, onto the surgeon's view, it aims to improve precision and reduce the need to look away at separate monitors. Augmedics, the assignee, is known for its xvision Spine System, which uses similar technology to guide spinal surgeries, suggesting this patent covers core aspects of their commercial offering. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Augmented Reality Glasses for Guiding Surgeons cover? This patent describes a head-mounted augmented reality display, like smart glasses, specifically designed to help surgeons by overlaying digital patient data and markers directly onto their view of the patient during medical procedures. ### Who owns patent US 12069233? Augmedics owns this patent, granted in 2024. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on August 4, 2043, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 12069233 cited by? This patent has been cited by 14 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This patent is significant for the field of surgical navigation and medical imaging. By directly overlaying critical patient data, like CT scans or surgical plans, onto the surgeon's view, it aims to improve precision and reduce the need to look away at separate monitors. Augmedics, the assignee, is known for its xvision Spine System, which uses similar technology to guide spinal surgeries, suggesting this patent covers core aspects of their commercial offering. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Augmented reality displays not specifically configured to facilitate a medical procedure. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12069233/head-mounted-augmented-reality-near-eye-display-device **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12069233 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How an Augmented Reality Headset Shows a Stable Virtual Monitor](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9726896/virtual-monitor-display-technique-for-augmented-reality-environments) — This patent describes an augmented reality headset that uses special liquid lenses and an occlusion matrix to display a stable virtual computer monitor, even as the user moves their head or body, while also preventing visual artifacts. - [How Disney's Compact AR Display Uses Special Mirrors](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12386177/compact-augmented-reality-virtual-reality-display) — Disney's patent describes a compact augmented reality display that uses a clever arrangement of three special wavelength-splitting mirrors to efficiently show digital images layered over the real world. - [How AR Glasses Make Virtual Objects Look Solid](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10573086/opacity-filter-for-display-device) — This patent describes how augmented reality glasses can make virtual objects appear more distinct by selectively blocking real-world light behind them using a special pixelated filter. - [How Medical Scanners Track Surgical Tools in Real-Time](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12357189/method-and-device-for-operating-a-medical-imaging-device-for-the-positionally-co) — This patent describes a method for medical imaging devices to accurately show the real-time 3D position of surgical tools and implants inside a patient during an operation, using a combination of initial 3D scans and live 2D X-ray images. - [How to Show Augmented Reality Effects Inside a Virtual Reality World](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10078917/augmented-reality-simulation) — This patent describes a method for creating a virtual reality experience where a user wearing a VR headset sees a simulated augmented reality view, complete with virtual objects appearing as if displayed by AR glasses within that virtual world.