Apple’s Vision Pro headset is taking on a new role outside of entertainment and productivity: the medical field. Starting in July 2025, the device will be tested in a clinical trial designed to improve cancer detection during colonoscopies.
The study is a partnership between Cosmo Pharmaceuticals and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Researchers aim to pair Vision Pro’s spatial computing capabilities with GI Genius, an AI-powered system created by Medtronic. GI Genius is already known for boosting adenoma detection rates by more than 14%. By integrating it with Vision Pro, doctors will be able to view critical information directly in their field of vision rather than switching between the patient and external monitors.
This shift could make procedures more efficient and reduce distractions, as physicians won’t need to glance away from their work. Real-time overlays in the headset can highlight suspicious growths, allowing doctors to focus fully on the examination while still receiving crucial AI-driven insights.
The trial will be led by Dr. Irving Waxman, Chief of Digestive Diseases at Rush. He and his team believe combining artificial intelligence with immersive technology could fundamentally change how doctors perform endoscopic procedures.
This isn’t the first time Vision Pro has made its way into operating rooms. Surgeons in India have previously used it for minimally invasive surgeries, and American physicians have explored applications for anesthesia and patient monitoring. What makes this trial significant, however, is its focus on cancer screening—a critical area where early detection saves lives.
If the study proves successful, it could open the door for augmented reality tools like Vision Pro to become standard in hospitals, transforming the way doctors interact with patients and medical data.