Overview
7D Surgical's Flash Navigation system is a radiation-free surgical navigation platform for spine and cranial procedures that requires no intraoperative CT, no O-arm, and no reference markers affixed to the patient. Instead, it uses a high-speed stereo camera array and machine learning algorithms to generate a 3D surface map of exposed bone using only the existing operating room lights as the illumination source.
The system achieves sub-millimeter registration accuracy in under 30 seconds by matching the captured 3D surface map to the patient's preoperative CT scan — a technique called Machine-Vision Image Guided Surgery (MvIGS). This eliminates the 20–40 minutes of setup time, radiation exposure, and workflow disruption associated with intraoperative CT-based navigation systems.
Acquired by Medtronic in 2021, 7D Surgical now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary with continued independent brand identity. It is installed in over 200 US spine surgery centers.
Key Technology
Machine Vision (MvIGS)
Stereo camera captures 3D point cloud of exposed bone surface using structured light and OR illumination. ML algorithm matches to preop CT in <30 seconds.
Zero Intraoperative Radiation
No fluoroscopy, no O-arm spin, no intraop CT required for navigation registration. Eliminates radiation exposure for patient, surgeon, and OR staff.
30-Second Registration
Surface scan and CT registration completes in under 30 seconds after bone exposure — vs. 20–40 minutes for competing systems requiring intraoperative CT acquisition.
Sub-Millimeter Accuracy
Pedicle screw placement accuracy validated at <1mm deviation from planned trajectory in multiple published series, comparable to intraoperative CT-based navigation systems.
Clinical Evidence
Prospective Study
Flash vs. CT-Based Navigation (Laratta et al., 2022)
Prospective comparison of 7D MvIGS vs. intraoperative CT navigation for thoracolumbar pedicle screw placement. Equivalent Grade A/B screw accuracy (97.1% vs 97.4%) with zero radiation for 7D arm. Significant OR time savings.
Multi-Center Series
300-Patient Accuracy Study
Multi-center review of 1,200+ pedicle screws showing 96.8% Grade A/B placement accuracy. No neurovascular complications attributable to navigation error across all centers.
Timeline
2015
7D Surgical founded in Toronto; MvIGS concept development
2019
FDA 510(k) clearance; first commercial installations in US spine centers
2021
Acquired by Medtronic; expands into Medtronic's spine navigation portfolio
2023
Cranial application clearance; integration with Medtronic StealthStation
2025
200+ US installed systems; expanding international market access