Proprio builds Paradigm, a real-time surgery guidance device that maps pre-operative scans to a live 3D representation and shows surgeons sub-millimeter guidance during spinal procedures. The system’s Prism imaging array combines multiple RGB cameras, infrared stereo cameras and a dedicated depth sensor to continuously register vertebrae without physical markers. Proprio received FDA 510(k) clearance for stereotaxic navigation for spine surgery and plans to commercialize by deploying the platform in operating rooms and taking on first in-human cases this summer at partnering hospitals. Commercial rollout will require scaled manufacturing, testing, training and field support. Beyond spine surgery the company sees applications in other difficult procedures (for example joint reconstruction) and anticipates a data opportunity to collect high-fidelity surgical recordings for training, outcome analysis and retrospective review. The company announced $43 million in new funding and maintains an office in Seattle where the team and co-founders including CEO Gabriel Jones and CMO Dr. Samuel Browd are based. Proprio develops a computational imaging system that provides enhanced visualization to enable precise surgical execution. The platform integrates robotics, artificial intelligence and computer vision to simplify surgical workflow, improve procedural accuracy and reduce or eliminate exposure to radiation. Proprio’s system is intended to increase surgical productivity while improving precision. The company plans to use the new funding to expand its development teams, accelerate clinical and regulatory timelines, build commercialization capabilities and install the first Proprio systems in leading institutions. Leadership additions and technical advisors have been added to support commercialization and product development, including hires with expertise in regulatory affairs and operations and advisors from Microsoft and academia. The co‑founders and leadership team include CEO Gabriel Jones, Ken Denman, Dr. Joshua Smith, Head of Engineering James Youngquist and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Samuel Browd. Proprio Vision develops a light-field platform that captures real-time volumetric video, enabling surgeons to change viewpoints in immersive, accurate 3D. The system couples light-field arrays with software similar to a powerful video-game engine and is designed to work with existing medical imaging such as MRIs and CT scans. Immediate use cases include teaching via playback from different angles, surgical planning and remote collaboration, and the company aspires to supplant tools like surgical microscopes and fluoroscopy. Proprio emerged from stealth in Seattle and started as a secretive operation at the University of Washington; it has clinical research partnerships with Seattle Children’s and UW Medicine. The startup has 10 employees, plans to double headcount this year and hire AR/VR specialists, and is opening a workspace in Seattle’s Lower Queen Anne neighborhood. Proprio positions itself against incumbents such as Intuitive Surgical and emphasizes improving surgeon user experience through AR/VR and computer vision.

Total raised

$73M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Jul 2023