What’s the story?
Snke has launched SnkeXR, a medical grade AR glasses system built for surgical and clinical workflows.
Why it matters
The launch adds another validated option for surgeons seeking AR tools that integrate directly into clinical workflows.
The bigger picture
AR is becoming a regular part of surgical toolkits as devices mature beyond prototypes and move toward routine clinical use.
November 18, 2025 – Snke, a provider of data-driven health technology solutions, has recently announced the launch of SnkeXR, a medical-grade, open platform augmented reality (AR) glasses system designed specifically for clinical and surgical environments.
According to the company, SnkeXR was engineered to address the limitations of consumer AR devices in healthcare by meeting medical device standards and supporting integration into a range of clinical workflows. The system targets use in orthopedics, neurosurgery, spine, electrophysiology, interventional radiology, and obstetrics and gynecology, as well as procedure planning, remote assistance, and clinical training.
Snke stated that the device features a medical-grade design that includes:
- A built-in surgical tracker with 0.3mm marker pose accuracy;
- A depth camera that can scan surface anatomy or organs at 30 fps for real-time patient registration;
- Stereoscopic loupe magnification up to 3.5X;
- Display transparency, projection angle and focal plane designed for visibility and clinician comfort;
- An integrated headlight; and
- A detachable, waist-mounted battery that supports up to six hours of continuous operation.
“The power of augmented reality to bring accuracy, efficiency and enhanced clinician experience to healthcare is clear, but legacy consumer AR glasses weren’t designed for use in the medical field,” said Nissan Elimelech, general manager of Snke XR. “SnkeXR fills this gap with a medical grade, open platform design that can be incorporated into medical devices for a wide range of clinical use cases.”
Elimelech previously founded and served as CEO of Augmedics, the maker of the Xvision AR navigation system for spine surgery.
Lumus Optics Powering SnkeXR
Snke selected Lumus as the optical engine provider for SnkeXR. According to Lumus, the headset incorporates its geometric waveguides that deliver 1440 x 1440 resolution per eye, a 50-degree field of view, and brightness above 3,000 nits per watt to support visibility of anatomical overlays under surgical lighting.
Snke worked with Lumus and manufacturing partner Quanta on lens positioning and ergonomics for extended wear. Lumus stated that to address clinician posture over reclined patients, the optical system was configured with an approximately 33-degree downward tilt.
“The SnkeXR glasses mark an important milestone in medical-grade AR, and optics are at the core of that innovation,” said Ari Grobman, CEO of Lumus. “By leveraging our geometric waveguide architecture, SnkeXR delivers the brightness, resolution, and field of view that physicians need to work safely and precisely – even under the intense lighting of the operating room.”
For more information on Snke and its data-driven health technology solutions, click here. To learn more about Lumus and its waveguide technology, click here.
Image credit: Snke / Lumus
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Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix, where he has spent years immersed in the XR ecosystem, tracking its evolution from early prototypes to the technologies shaping the future of human experience. While primarily covering the latest AR and VR news, his interests extend to the wider world of human augmentation, from AI and robotics to haptics, wearables, and brain–computer interfaces.