Novarad's VisAR Aims to Redefine Surgical Precision with Augmented Reality

PROVO, UT – April 10, 2026 – As thousands of interventional radiologists convene in Toronto for the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Annual Scientific Meeting, a Utah-based technology firm is set to offer a glimpse into the future of minimally invasive procedures. Novarad Corporation will be showcasing VisAR, its surgical augmented reality (AR) platform, giving clinicians a hands-on look at technology that promises to transform patient imaging data into a real-time, 3D surgical roadmap.

From April 12–14, Novarad will conduct live demonstrations of VisAR, a system designed to overlay a holographic representation of a patient's anatomy directly onto their body during a procedure. The showcase at one of the world's premier gatherings for image-guided medicine signals a pivotal moment for AR technology as it moves from the realm of futuristic concepts to a practical tool aimed at enhancing surgical precision, safety, and efficiency.

A New Vision for Minimally Invasive Surgery

At the core of Novarad's VisAR is a sophisticated system that transforms standard 2D patient images, such as CT scans, into a detailed 3D hologram. Using a Microsoft HoloLens 2 headset, the surgeon can see this hologram precisely superimposed onto the patient, creating an effect akin to X-ray vision. This allows the surgeon to visualize internal structures, including organs, bones, and vascular pathways, in their precise anatomical location without needing to look away at a separate monitor.

This “heads-up display” approach is a fundamental shift from traditional image-guided navigation, which often requires surgeons to divide their attention between the patient and multiple screens around the operating room. The goal is to improve focus and streamline the surgical workflow.

“Technology in the procedure room has to be precise, intuitive, and fast,” said David Grandpre, VP of Product at Novarad, in a statement. “With VisAR, we’re focused on delivering surgical augmented reality that supports image-guided procedures without adding complexity or slowing clinicians down.”

Novarad reports that the system has already demonstrated impressive results. VisAR has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for intraoperative stereotactic spinal surgical guidance. In studies, it has shown sub-2 millimeter surgical accuracy for pedicle screw placement in both open and minimally invasive spine surgeries, with a reported accuracy rate of 96.7% based on the Gertzbein-Robbins grading scale. Furthermore, the system boasts an operating room setup time of less than two minutes, a critical factor for adoption in time-sensitive surgical environments.

Navigating a Competitive High-Tech Market

The push for AR in the operating room is not happening in a vacuum. The global surgical AR market was valued at $3.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to skyrocket to over $18 billion by 2030, driven by a demand for less invasive procedures and better patient outcomes. This explosive growth has attracted a crowded field of competitors.

Industry giants like Medtronic, which has partnered to integrate AR with its StealthStation navigation systems, and Brainlab AG, with its own mixed-reality surgical platforms, are formidable players. They are joined by a wave of agile, venture-backed startups such as Augmedics and Medivis, which have recently secured significant funding to advance their own AR navigation technologies. This places Novarad in a dynamic and highly competitive landscape.

However, Novarad's strategy appears to differ from many of its rivals. Founded in 1988, the company leverages a long and established history in medical imaging software, including its widely used PACS systems. Rather than building proprietary hardware, VisAR utilizes Microsoft's off-the-shelf HoloLens 2, a move that helps control costs and leverages the rapid advancements of a global tech leader. This approach, combined with the fact that Novarad has remained a self-funded entity, suggests a focus on sustainable growth and deep integration with existing hospital IT infrastructure. The system is built on the company's own imaging technology stack, ensuring interoperability and adherence to strict security and HIPAA compliance standards.

From Lab to Operating Room: The Real-World Impact

For any new medical technology to succeed, it must prove its value not just in clinical trials but in the day-to-day reality of a busy hospital. Historically, advanced navigation systems have faced barriers to widespread adoption, including high costs, large physical footprints in the operating room, and steep learning curves for surgical teams.

VisAR is designed to address these challenges directly. Its reliance on a wireless headset and minimal hardware gives it what Novarad calls the “portability of a stethoscope.” For interventional radiologists performing delicate procedures like needle biopsies and ablations, the ability to see the target lesion and the needle's trajectory in 3D, directly on the patient, could significantly improve accuracy and reduce procedure times.

“The potential for this technology to enhance precision and safety is immense,” noted one radiologist familiar with emerging AR systems. “However, the key to adoption will be seamless integration. It cannot disrupt our established workflow or add significant time to a procedure. If it’s truly intuitive and quick to set up, it could become a standard of care.”

Beyond the operating room, the technology also holds promise for training and patient engagement. Novarad offers an educational version of VisAR for teaching anatomy, allowing students to explore the human body in a detailed, interactive 3D environment without the need for cadavers. It can also be used to walk patients through a proposed procedure, providing a clear visual simulation that can help reduce anxiety and improve informed consent.

As Novarad prepares to demonstrate VisAR's capabilities at SIR 2026, the focus will be on translating these technological advancements into tangible clinical benefits. The company's presence at the conference provides a crucial opportunity for interventional radiologists to directly evaluate the system's performance and ergonomics. Their feedback will be instrumental in determining how quickly surgical augmented reality moves from a promising innovation to an indispensable tool in modern medicine.