Journal of Spine Surgery Publishes Peer-Reviewed On-Point Surgical Augmented Reality Accuracy Data: Pedicle Screw Placement Error 2-5× Smaller Than Reported for Major Navigation and Robotic Systems

"Accuracy of a high-resolution augmented reality (AR) guidance system with novel 3D stereoscopic targeting for spinal surgery" in the Journal of Spine Surgery reports impressively low positional error of 1.1 mm and an angular error of 1.3°

CONCORD, Mass., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- OnPoint Surgical, Inc., a medical technology company which has developed an FDA cleared augmented reality (AR) surgical navigation system for spine procedures, today announced the publication of accuracy data for its OnPoint AR system in the peer-reviewed Journal of Spine Surgery. The study, "Accuracy of a high-resolution augmented reality (AR) guidance system with novel 3D stereoscopic targeting for spinal surgery," reports that the OnPoint system placed pedicle screws in cadaveric specimens with a positional error of 1.1 mm (1 SD = 0.5 mm) and an angular error of 1.3° (1 SD = 0.5°).

The positional and angular error are 2–5× smaller than the errors reported for other major navigation and robotics systems. The differences were statistically highly significant for all comparisons. Screw placement accuracy in the study was 100%, with no medial or inferior breaches observed.

The study evaluated 80 pedicle screws placed by three experienced spine surgeons across five cadaveric specimens, including osteoporotic anatomy, using both open and minimally invasive techniques across the thoracic and lumbosacral spine. Positional and angular error were measured in three dimensions by comparing post-operative CT scans of the implanted screws with the planned trajectories, and radiographic accuracy was independently graded by a blinded fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologist using the Heary and Gertzbein-Robbins classifications.

"The surgeons set out to publish hard numbers, and the numbers are on point," said Philipp Lang, M.D., CEO, OnPoint Surgical. "A positional error of 1.1 mm and an angular error of 1.3° are 2–5× smaller than what the major navigation and robotic platforms have reported, and the comparisons were statistically highly significant across the board. Surgeons can leverage this accuracy today in minimally invasive and complex spinal procedures."

Notably, this accuracy is enabled when using the OnPoint AR headset with its proprietary 3D stereoscopic targeting technology. The targeting provides the surgeon with a tool to be highly accurate in difficult anatomic situations, magnifying positional and angular deviation approximately ten times and overlaying it directly onto the surgical site in the surgeon's field of view — rather than on a monitor several feet away from the patient.

Other factors contributing to the impressive accuracy of the OnPoint AR system include the ergonomics of the OnPoint AR system, the high display resolution, the accuracy of the AR overlay achieved through a proprietary, patent-protected AR display alignment, a low headset weight of only 320 grams including tracking array, and a proprietary image registration technique versus traditional scanner tracking.

The publication reflects OnPoint Surgical's ongoing collaboration with leading spine surgeons, researchers, and healthcare institutions to evaluate the clinical application of augmented reality navigation. The study's authors represent Henry Ford Hospital, Stanford University Medical Center, Boston University Medical Center, Kaiser Hospital Roseville, and Tulane University.

"This level of accuracy, obtained without taking the surgeon's eyes off the operative field, is a meaningful step for the cases where precision matters most, for patients with small pedicles and challenging anatomy", said Serena S. Hu, M.D., Vice Chair, Chief, Spine Service, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center. 

The full article is available through the Journal of Spine Surgery: Abdulhak M, Srivastav SK, Pan J, Bueff HU, Voegeli T, Hu SS. Accuracy of a high-resolution augmented reality (AR) guidance system with novel 3D stereoscopic targeting for spinal surgery. J Spine Surg 2026;12(6):88. doi: 10.21037/jss-2026-1-0034.

https://jss.amegroups.org/article/view/8037/html

About OnPoint Surgical

OnPoint Surgical is a medical technology company developing augmented reality surgical and machine learning navigation solutions designed to enhance visualization, guidance, and accuracy during spine procedures. The FDA cleared OnPoint AR platform combines a high-resolution, lightweight head-mounted display with proprietary 3D stereoscopic targeting and image registration to deliver published, peer-reviewed placement accuracy that integrates into existing surgical workflows. The OnPoint AR-AI technology platform is protected by more than 60 granted U.S. and international patents.

SOURCE OnPoint Surgical, Inc.