South Korean Hospital and Tech Firm Accelerate AI-Powered Augmented Reality Knee Replacement Surgery

News | 2025-10-30 15:05:37
[medi K / HEALTH IN NEWS] Seoul—Yonsei Sarang Hospital’s artificial joint research team announced it is intensifying development of an artificial intelligence-driven augmented reality technique for knee replacement surgery in partnership with Skyb Co.

On October 27, researchers and Skyb engineers held a working session to refine “Kneevigate,” a 3-D patient-specific surgical tool, and the accompanying AR protocol.

Kneevigate uses AI to analyze a patient’s magnetic resonance imaging scans, reconstruct a three-dimensional anatomic model, and produce custom guides via 3-D printing. The system has received a provisional exemption from South Korea’s new medical technology evaluation process by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and is credited with improving precision and efficiency in total knee arthroplasty.

Skyb has spent three years co-developing AI-augmented reality methods with teams at several major South Korean hospitals. The integrated approach is being positioned as a potential paradigm shift in joint replacement.

The latest meeting served as the final pre-regulatory technical validation and preparation for clinical rollout. Yonsei Sarang clinicians conducted live demonstrations and iterative discussions to polish the platform.
The artificial joint research team at Yonsei Sarang Hospital listens to a presentation on Skyb’s augmented reality-based surgical solution. (Photo provided by Yonsei Sarang Hospital)
The artificial joint research team at Yonsei Sarang Hospital listens to a presentation on Skyb’s augmented reality-based surgical solution. (Photo provided by Yonsei Sarang Hospital)


A Skyb representative noted that only about three institutions worldwide currently perform AI-based AR knee replacement, adding that the collaboration could mark a turning point for precision orthopedic surgery in South Korea.

Yonsei Sarang plans to partner with additional medical centers to initiate early clinical use of the AR method, publish domestic and international peer-reviewed studies based on accumulated data, and, after formal approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, export the Korean-developed AI-AR system globally to deliver more accurate and safer procedures to patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Lim Hye Jung / press@themedik.kr
Copyright © 2020 mediK. All rights reserved.

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