Health care leaders from 10 countries gathered in San Diego Thursday to explore Apple’s Vision Pro for surgery and other medical uses, and especially how it can further transform medical procedures and patient care, according to a new report.
The 300-person summit, hosted by Sharp HealthCare, marks another milestone in the device’s adoption by medical institutions since its 2024 launch, almost exactly a year ago. While broader public discussion of the headset tends to pine for a cheaper version, health care pros seem over the moon about how cheap $3,500 per unit is compared to their usual gear.
Health care summit explores Vision Pro’s surgical and other medical uses
The San Diego summit highlights Vision Pro‘s rapid acceptance in health care through various early uses since the headset’s launch in February 2024. Apple touted robust new health and wellness apps for the headset back in March. But the fast pace of adoption surprises even Apple’s leadership, Fast Company reported.
“Sometimes enterprises take a little time to adopt technology. This one is even surprising us,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s VP of Worldwide Developer Relations.
Sharp bought 30 Vision Pro headsets and launched a special center
Sharp HealthCare has embraced the technology by purchasing 30 Vision Pro units and establishing a Spatial Computing Center of Excellence. The summit will examine applications ranging from surgery and medical education to office-based patient care.
The device’s impact is already evident at UC San Diego Health. There surgeons have conducted over 50 procedures using the Vision Pro. Dr. Ryan Broderick, a UCSD surgeon, pioneered the headset’s use in minimally invasive surgeries after identifying a common problem: the cluttered array of monitors in operating rooms forcing surgeons into uncomfortable positions.
By streaming video feeds through the Vision Pro, surgical teams can position virtual displays optimally without physical constraints.
“For [a] monitor to be in the ideal position for surgery, it really should just be directly in front of your head without having to turn your neck or adjust your body,” explained Dr. Broderick. The trial, currently under peer review, demonstrates promising results for reducing physical strain during procedures.
For health care uses, Vision Pro’s $3,500 cost is actually low
Photo: Sharp HealthCare
Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledges Vision Pro’s $3,499 price tag makes it an “early-adopter product.” But Vision Pro’s cost actually represents value in the medical equipment market, where individual monitors can cost $20,000. The device’s integration with Apple’s ecosystem has also accelerated adoption, with Dr. Tommy Korn of Sharp HealthCare noting that 90% of their doctors use iPhones.
Major health care technology providers have already developed specialized applications. Zeiss partnered with Sharp to create an app for ophthalmologists to view cataract surgery videos, while Stryker released software for reviewing surgical plans in 3D. Medical publisher Elsevier has introduced detailed cardiovascular system models for the platform.
The Vision Pro’s technical specifications, including its R1 chip that processes sensor data “eight times faster than the human eye can blink,” make it particularly suitable for medical applications. Recent software updates have added enterprise-grade device management features and support for expansive virtual displays, enhancing its utility in professional settings.
Looking beyond surgical applications
Looking ahead, medical professionals envision broader applications when it comes to Vision Pro for surgery and other medical uses. Dr. Broderick sees potential for enhanced surgical training through telementoring, particularly beneficial for rural health care providers. Korn suggests even wider possibilities, including applications in mental health treatment, meditation, therapeutic activities like tai chi, preparing patients for surgery and more.
As the summit convenes, it represents more than just a gathering of early adopters. It signals the emergence of spatial computing as a transformative force in health care delivery and medical education.
